The New Orleans Saints ended last season with a 9-8 record with an easy schedule. Obviously, the team has a lot of room to improve. The first step was adding Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator. His addition should help New Orleans win with scheme as well as talent instead of relying strictly on the players.
There need to be improvements to the roster as well. There is a lot of uncertainty along the offensive line at a couple of positions. That is the paramount concern as it has the ability to cripple the offense. What are the other biggest positions of need?
Offensive tackle
Trevor Penning was unimpressive before being benched last year, Ryan Ramczyk could have to retire due to prolonged uses with his knee. If either player isn’t in the plans for 2024 due to performance or health, you have to replace that position with an immediate starter. The difficulty comes if Ramczyk can’t play next year because his replacement isn’t on the roster. You could see Andrus Peat continue to play left tackle if Penning doesn’t reclaim his starting position, however…
Left guard
Peat is a pending free agent. He can play both positions, and that should earn him some extra value under these circumstances. If he is your starting left tackle again, you would then have a void at left guard. The Saints also could just not re-sign Peat leaving a void somewhere on the left side of the offensive line.
Addressing the route you want to go at those positions should be the first decision of the offseason. Then, you can decide if you’re bringing in talent through free agency or the draft. Also, how soon do these players need to be ready to play.
Defensive end
The defensive end New Orleans needs is not on the roster. For years, the call was “the Saints need to get Cameron Jordan a running mate.” The time may have passed for that. Jordan puts his worst season in recent memory on nagging injuries, but he’s getting older. It may not be as bad as 2023, but he’s no longer the same player he was just five years ago. The Saints need a dynamic pass rusher. Free agency should be the place to look for him
Safety
The team does need help outside of the trenches. Since becoming a New Orleans Saint, Marcus Maye has dealt with injuries and suspensions that kept him out of 17 of 34 potential games. The injuries alone are enough reason to look for his replacement. The strength of the team is the secondary. In order to keep that unit strong, the Saints will need to invest in safety this offseason.
