The New Orleans Saints report to training camp in a few weeks with more than their fair share of questions left to answer.
There are several position groups that are worth watching closely this summer. In recent years it often seemed like there were more answers than questions at training camp, but not so much heading into the 2022 NFL season.
From Drew Brees' replacement to questions at linebacker, tight end, cornerback and wide receiver, let’s take a dive into some of those battles and what to expect.
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1. OF COURSE, IT'S QUARTERBACK
The top position battle that will get a lion’s share of the attention from the fans and media will be at football's most important position: quarterback. Drew Brees retired this offseason, opening the door for Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill to battle it out to be the next starting QB for the black and gold.
Winston is intriguing, The former No. 1 overall pick was pushed out the door in Tampa Bay.
“He’s a talented cat, that’s for sure. You don’t get picked first overall if you stink,” explained the Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert.
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Hill went 3-1 under center for the Saints last year with Brees out four games as he recovered from rib and lung injuries.
“I like Taysom the football player, I love what he does. He’s talented also, but man he doesn’t throw with great anticipation,” Hebert added.
My money is on Jameis Winston to win the job.
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2. WHO PICKS UP THE SLACK AT LINEBACKER?
The Saints have their stud at Linebacker in DeMario Davis, but who’s going to play opposite of Davis? In today’s NFL teams employ the “nickel” defense on over 60% of the snaps. That means just two linebackers on the field. Will it be second round pick Pete Werner? What about last year's third-round pick Zack Baun?
Or could the Saints bring back Kwon Alexander? If the price is right, Alexander could be in the mix. The former LSU star was brought to the Saints in a mid-season trade from the San Francisco 49ers and played in 7 games for New Orleans before landing on injured reserve with a torn Achilles.
“When he’s healthy, man that’s a great player to put next to DeMario,” Hebert said.
Werner is a talented rookie and yet another former Ohio State Buckeye. He fits the ideal size, skill and speed to play linebacker in the Saints' scheme. Baun is a player the Saints were high on last year, but spent most of his time contributing on special teams. If the Saints don’t bring Alexander back to the mix, I'd hand the edge to the rookie Werner to win the first crack at starting linebacker opposite Davis.
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3. WILL CORNERBACK NO. 2 PLEASE STAND UP
Marshon Lattimore has the right side of the field locked down at cornerback, but the Saints had to part ways with Janoris Jenkins this offseason in a cost-cutting move.
“I could make an argument that Jenkins has better ball skills than Lattimore,” said Hebert.
The Saints drafted former Stanford Cardinal Paulson Adebo in the third round of last April's draft. The upside is very high for Adebo, but will the Saints really plan torely on a rookie CB to start outside in the secondary?
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History would seem to be on his side. Lattimore did it as a rookie, but as a top 10 pick. The Saints have CJ Gardner-Johnson manning the nicker, with the depth on the outside currently consisting of veterans P.J Williams and Patrick Robinson.
“Those two guys are not true every-down cornerbacks. Williams is a hybrid safety/corner and Robinson is the nickel corner,” said Hebert.
I would expect the Saints to add to this position in free agency before camp starts in a couple of weeks.
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4. WHO TAKES OVER THE CHEF'S HAT AT TIGHT END
Jared Cook shipped out of town this offseason and the Saints didn’t draft a tight end to add depth, which came as a surprise to me.
Longtime Saints TE Josh Hill also left in free agency and subsequently retired shortly after signing with the Lions. The Saints also have Garret Griffin, recently signed Nick Vannett, Ethan Wolfe, Dylan Sohner and Adam Trautman on the roster.
Trautman was the team’s third round pick last year and I would assume he’s in line to become the starting tight end. If the Saints keep three tight ends, I would bet on Vannett and Wolfe paired up with Trautman.
“This might be the first time the Saints didn’t have a super star at tight end under Sean Payton,” Hebert pointed out referencing the Jeremy Shockey and Jimmy Graham days.
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5. BEYOND MICHAEL THOMAS, WHO CATCHES ON AT WR?
Who’s going to be the No. 2 wide receiver opposite of Michael Thomas?
The Saints drafted one wide receiver during the spring, waiting until Round 7 to nab Kawaan Baker out of South Alabama. In another salary cap move the Saints let go of Emmanuel Sanders after one season, and he went on to sign with the Buffalo Bills.
“He was a good, not great but good compliment last year. When Thomas was down I don’t think he got open enough,” Hebert said.
Marquez Callaway stepped up last year as an undrafted rookie, catching 21 passes for 213 yards. The Saints also are still waiting on Tre’Quan Smith to reach his full potential. In three seasons Smith has missed 7 games, and has laid a fair share of duds in the games he's been active.
“I think Tre’Quan could be a really good No. 2 if he can ever stay healthy,” Hebert said.
Juwan Johnson is the biggest receiver on the roster yes even bigger than Thomas at 6-foot-4 and 231 pounds.
“He’s a big dude I know that! He could be a match up problem at tight end” Hebert said.
The Saints could also consider moving Johnson to the tight end room, and have another big-bodied wide receiver in Lil-Jordan Humphrey, who's listed at 6-foot-4, 231 pounds.
Regardless of what happens there, the Saints are pretty deep at wide receiver, with plenty of question marks. The biggest: Who steps up and takes advantage of a prime opportunity in the 2022 season.
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