The New Orleans Saints were bounced in the first round of the playoffs a year ago. The reality in my mind is Drew Brees is really starting to age but overall this is a very good roster. A team you cannot count out year after year.
3 Position Battles To Watch:
Backup QB: Taysom Hill vs Jameis Winston
Drew Brees is going to be the starter but who is the number two? I honestly don’t think we have 100 percent certainly. If I had to guess, Jameis Winston is that guy. He was brought in to replace Teddy Bridgewater on the depth chart. Then again, there has been rumblings that the Saints are going to give the job to Taysom Hill. Time will tell.
Cornerback: PJ Williams, Janoris Jenkins, Patrick Robinson
It sounds like Janoris Jenkins has a leg up but all we know is that Eli Apple is no longer part of the equation. Patrick Robinson has also been a stable veteran in the past. There’s not a lot of room for error. Both Robinson and Jenkins are older corners and there’s not much depth behind them.
Linebacker: Zack Baun?
I don’t have a clue what the Saints are going to do with Zack Baun. The Saints pretty much have their starting linebacker group set too. It’s not like you can play this guy at defensive end either. Good luck.
Ready To Breakout: Sheldon Rankins
The pick of Sheldon Rankins is a bounceback breakout player. Rankings got hurt a year ago missing 6 games. Even when he was on the field, Rankins didn’t look like the same guy from 2019. A 2019 season that included 8 sacks from the interior. Look for Rankins to get back and establish himself as one of the better defensive tackles again.
Rookie To Watch: Cesar Ruiz
I didn’t get the Cesar Ruiz pick. The reason is because Erik McCoy is already entrenched as the center. New Orleans is taking the Michigan center and flipping him inside at guard. Not sure that would have been the move I made in the first round.
Fantasy Sleeper: Latavius Murray
People ignore Latavius Murray but the dude always produces. Especially in New Orleans where he will get touches. 146 carries for 637 yards and 5 touchdowns. Murray had the same amount of touchdowns that Alvin Kamara did. For bye week fillers, you can do way worse.
