The Saints have checked a lot of boxes through the first two months of this offseason, but several big question marks still remain heading into the 2024 season.
So what are they? That's one of the major topics we broke down in the latest episode of the Audacy original podcast, Inside Black & Gold. Check out the full episode in the player below. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Here's a quick breakdown of what was discussed. For the full analysis, check out the episode.
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1. WHAT'S THE PLAN AT TACKLE?
The Saints have already made a few moves to address positions the pass rush, but what about the other side of the line?
To this point we haven't seen much beyond a depth signing in Oli Udoh. He could play in a pinch and could be a factor, but he's certainly not a guy you're bringing in to start. The latest update on Ryan Ramczyk is a negative win, so you have to be going ahead with a contingency plan for is he is unable to go.
So, what is the plan? It feels likely the position is addressed in the draft, and probably early. But what if your top target isn't available? What if that rookie struggles and needs time? All your eggs can't be in that basket. I think the most likely scenario is the Saints draft a successor for Ramczyk (maybe Taliese Fuaga, who was my pick at No. 14 in both of our mocks thus far). A premium option to learn behind Ram and potentially take over midseason if necessary is a palatable scenario.
On the other side is a different question. I think this team is still dedicated to giving Trevor Penning a chance to grow into the starting LT with the help of a rebuilt coaching staff, but what if he can't? Andrus Peat is still on the free agent market and could be brought back. I think it's likely that only happens if you can get him on the cheaper side. There's the other element that Klint Kubiak's scheme will require different things from blockers, so the incumbents don't have the same advantage they might have in the past.
I'd expect one more veteran free agent signing with an eye on left tackle, then a full-blown training camp battle to pick a starter.
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2. ANOTHER VETERAN WR
The Saints have an interesting and intriguing wide receiver room, led by emerging stars in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Another fun option is A.T. Perry, a bigger receiver who really came on at the end of last season.
It's a trio that you could build around, but it's also a trio that accounts for 5 years of NFL experience combined. The Saints added Cedrick Wilson and Stanley Morgan, but I think there's still another seat being held for a veteran wide receiver.
The Saints could also use another big body, physical WR, but I think that's something you address in the draft if someone is available that you like early in Round 2. The need for a veteran is a different issue, and I'd like it to be a veteran that could step in and make an impact if needed. The Saints have waited until late in the offseason to do this in the past, Jarvis Landry being a recent example. That obviously didn't go as intended with the ankle injury, but his first game in a Saints uniform he went for 114 yards on 7 catches in a comeback win over the Falcons.
I'm talking about a guy who COULD do that in any week, but not a guy that you NEED to do that most weeks. An obvious option would be Hunter Renfrow, who has the added benefit of being incredibly familiar and successful in working with Derek Carr. If you wait things out, he could end up on a team-friendly deal, much like Landry did.
There are other options, such as Michael Gallup, Tyler Boyd or even maybe a New Orleans return for Odell Beckham Jr. One way or another I think there's one more name you know headed to that WR room before the 2024 season kicks off.
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3A. WHAT'S THE MARKET FOR LATTIMORE?
Going into the offseason I placed one of the Saints' top priorities as making sure you DON'T HAVE TO trade Marshon Lattimore, even if you might want to. In order to do that, any broken fences needed to be mended.
Has the team done that? It's tough to say. Lattimore is a reserved person and keeps to himself. He hasn't spoken to the media since last training camp. It's difficult to establish exactly where he's at from that perspective. The Saints, though, have been making every effort to establish that he's a key piece of the team and they're excited to have him.
Whether you believe that is up to you, but it's objectively the right ground for the Saints to stake out, particularly after we saw the meager return (a 4th rounder and swap of 7th rounders) for L'Jarius Sneed, one of the top CBs in the league.
The Saints need to make sure they're in a scenario where they can laugh off that type of offer. That's what they were unable to do with C.J. Gardner-Johnson prior to the 2022 season, and the return was what it was.
If the Saints can do that, I think they could certainly pull a bigger return if they choose to trade their star CB. They just have to work the market. One of the biggest issues in the Snead trade was the need to give the 27-year-old a massive contract to keep him happy. Lattimore is under team control for two more seasons at what is now a more than reasonable number for a top corner. It'd make sense for the Saints to be patient anyway, with a post-June 1 trade making more sense. The closer we get to the season, the more teams will be concerned about their deficiencies at CB if they exist. If the team marks out a reasonable price and there's no offers, fine, but they have to do that, and to do that, they have to make sure that if no trade emerges, keeping Lattimore is also an option.
It's a delicate balance.
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3B. WHO PLAYS THE SLOT?
This is the fourth item but I'm putting it at 3B, because it really depends on what happens with 3A. If the Saints don't trade Lattimore, I think your only real option will be to keep Alontae Taylor in the slot for another year. I'd say it's probably not his best or natural position, but I want him on the field and that'd be the only clear way to do it.
Conversely, if the Saints do trade Lattimore that situation changes. Taylor would obviously move outside, and your priority becomes finding the best option at slot corner. The Saints were linked to Avonte Maddox for a free agent visit, but he left without a deal. It's possible they're slow playing things with that spot until they have a better picture on Marshon.
Having an effective, disciplined slot corner is a key piece of Dennis Allen's scheme, and I think when this group has struggled, that position has had a lot to do with it. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Saints go after one of the top slot CB prospects on Day 2 of this year's draft with that in mind.
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