Let’s take a deep look at the Saints 2019 season, 2020 offseason and what lies ahead in 2020.
2019 Team Ranks
| Total Offense | 9th (5982 yards) |
| Passing Offense | 7th (4244 yards) |
| Rushing Offense | 16th (1738 yards) |
| Total Defense | 11th (5329 yards allowed) |
| Passing Defense | 20th (3868 yards allowed) |
| Rushing Defense | 4th (1461 yards allowed) |
| PPG | 28.6 |
| PPG Allowed | 21.3 |
| Offensive Line Ranks | |
| PFF | 5th |
| Football Outsiders (Run Block) | 1st |
| Football Outsiders (Pass Block) | 3rd |
Coaching Staff Changes
Michael Hodges replaces Mike Nolan as LB Coach
Offseason Additions
| Malcolm Jenkins S |
| Emmanuel Sanders WR |
| Jameis Winston QB |
| Ty Montgomery RB |
| Michael Burton FB |
| James Hurst RT |
| Anthony Chickillo OLB |
| Margus Hunt DE |
Offseason Losses
| A.J. Klein LB |
| Vonn Bell S |
| Teddy Bridgewater QB |
| Larry Warford G |
| Ketih Kirkwood WR |
| Zach Line FB |
2020 NFL Draft
| Round 1 (24) – Cesar Ruiz C Michigan |
| Round 3 (74) – Zack Baun LB Wisconsin |
| Round 3 (105) – Adam Trautman TE Dayton |
| Round 7 (240) – Tommy Stevens QB Mississippi State |
2020 Schedule with record vs opponents since 2017
| Week 1 – vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4:25 PM ET FOX | 4-2 |
| Week 2 – at Las Vegas Raiders 8:15 PM ET ESPN (MNF) | 0-0 |
| Week 3 – vs Green Bay Packers 8:20 PM ET NBC (SNF) | 1-0 |
| Week 4 – at Detroit Lions 1 PM ET FOX | 1-0 |
| Week 5 – vs Los Angeles Chargers 8:15 PM ET ESPN (MNF) | 0-0 |
| Week 6 – BYE | |
| Week 7 – vs Carolina Panthers 1 PM ET FOX | 6-1 |
| Week 8 – at Chicago Bears 4:25 PM ET FOX | 2-0 |
| Week 9 – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8:20 PM ET NBC (SNF) | 4-2 |
| Week 10 – vs San Francisco 49ers 4:25 PM ET FOX | 0-1 |
| Week 11 – vs Atlanta Falcons 1 PM ET FOX | 4-2 |
| Week 12 – at Denver Broncos 4:05 PM ET FOX | 0-0 |
| Week 13 – at Atlanta Falcons 1 PM ET FOX | 4-2 |
| Week 14 – at Philadelphia Eagles 4:25 PM ET FOX | 2-0 |
| Week 15 – vs Kansas City Chiefs 4:25 PM ET CBS | 0-0 |
| Week 16 – vs Minnesota Vikings 4:30 PM ET FOX (Christmas) | 1-3 |
| Week 17 – at Carolina Panthers 1 PM ET FOX | 6-1 |
Miscellaneous Notes
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Drew Brees had highest completion percentage in NFL in 2019 (74.3%)
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Michael Thomas led league in receiving yards (1,725 yards)
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Michael Thomas was named 2019 AP Offensive Player of the Year
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| Saints are 39-14 since 2017 (inc. postseason) |
| 2019 Offense Play Selection |
| Pass – 59.9% |
| Rush – 40.1% |
| PFF Top 5 Graded Players in 2019 |
| 1. Ryan Ramczyk RT 90.9 |
| 2. Drew Brees QB 90.7 |
| 3. Michael Thomas WR 90.4 |
| 4. Demario Davis WLB 90.3 |
| 5. Taysom Hill QB/ATH 88.7 |
Burning Question: Is this Drew Brees’ final run in New Orleans?
Bottom Line: The Saints have been the best team in the NFC since 2017. They have gone on a wild run which has included Drew Brees breaking record after record. A miracle in Minnesota. A missed pass interference call. And now it may be the end of this journey.
Drew Brees may very well hang up the cleats after 2020. If that is the case, this is the final run for this Saints team as currently constructed. You can very easily argue there is no weakness for the Saints from the roster down to the coaching staff. It is a truly impressive group of players and coaches.
Not only do they have Drew Brees who is one of the most accurate QB’s of all time. But they have young studs on both sides of the ball who can take over at any time. Michael Thomas is arguably the best receiver in the league. Demario Davis stays under the radar but has a case for being one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Overall, the Saints have the most balanced team in football.
I can’t see a world in where the Saints do not make the playoffs this year. The Bucs will give them trouble, but the Saints should roll through the rest of their schedule.
Predicted Win Range: 10-12
