Saints 2022 Position Grades: Special Teams

Like in nearly every other area in 2022, New Orleans uncharacteristically struggled on special teams throughout the year.

From 2017 to 2020, the New Orleans Saints had one of the best special teams units in the NFL. An often overlooked aspect of football, the Saints won several games with the clutch kicking of Wil Lutz. Field position was often a big advantage because of the legs of punters Thomas Morstead, then Blake Gillikin. Swarming kick coverage also provided an underrated advantage, as did the explosive returns of Deonte Harty. 

The Saints struggled in some aspects of special teams in 2021. Gillikin had a fine year replacing beloved veteran Morstead. However, Lutz underwent season-ending surgery in training camp, forcing the team to go through four different kickers with little success. The coverage units were still adequate, but suffered a drop-off in performance, and Harty wasn't nearly as effective as a returner.

Lutz was back in 2022. New Orleans, as they often do, also placed priority in the athleticism of their special teams with their offseason personnel moves. Would it make a difference?

Saints 2022 Special Teams Grade

New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz (3) attempts a 61-yard field goal out of the hold of punter Blake Gillikin (4) against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings defeated the Saints 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 28-year-old Lutz is one of the most successful kickers in New Orleans franchise history. He sits in second place in franchise history for extra points and just three field goals away from second in that category, behind only Hall of Famer Morten Andersen. His 84.6% field goal percentage is the best in franchise history for kickers that have played at least two years with the team. 

Whether not fully recovered from his surgery or something else, Lutz didn't look like the same kicker in 2022. He converted just 74.2% of his field goal attempts, by far the worst of his six-year career, and missed multiple kicks in two contests. 

Lutz still has excellent range, even though his 64% touchback percentage on kickoffs was his lowest since 2018. He converted 4 of 6 field goals from beyond 50 yards, with one being a near-miss at 61 yards. However, Lutz misfired on six attempts between 30 and 49 yards and went just 4 of 8 between 40-49 yards. Those inconsistencies further handcuffed an already poor offense. 

New Orleans Saints punter Blake Gillikin (4) against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Gillikin also wasn't as effective in his second season as he was his first. Gillikin's gross average (46.4 yards) and net average (41.4) were both lower than his 2021 performance. He also shanked some punts in key situations during the year to put the defense at a field position disadvantage. 

Gillikin's 7 touchbacks were three more than he had in 2021, but he did place 32 kicks inside an opponent’s 20-yard line. His pinpoint accuracy and booming leg just weren't as consistent as they were during his initial season with the Saints. 

Coverage units have consistently declined in each of the last two years. After leading the NFL in fewest yards per punt return (2.3) and kickoff returns (17.2) in 2020, both areas have dropped to just average since. In 2022, New Orleans allowed an average of 8.9 on punt returns and 22.6 on kickoffs. 

The Saints have some outstanding athletes on kickoff and punt coverage. J.T. Gray remains one of the league's best. Versatile Taysom Hill, linebackers Kaden Elliss, Zack Baun, and Andrew Dowell, along with S Daniel Sorensen also made key contributions. 

Carolina Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr. (42) waits for the punt against New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (27) and safety J.T. Gray (48). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Similarly, New Orleans couldn't swing the momentum of any game with their return teams. The normally explosive Deonte Harty averaged 22.8 on kickoff returns, but a measly 2.8 on punt returns with a fumble until being lost for the year after four games. Hill and RB Dwayne Washington made little difference as kick returners,while WR Marquez Callaway wasn't much of an impact returning punts.

Undrafted rookie WR Rashid Shaheed developed as a valuable offensive threat after the mid-season point. He'd also emerge as the team’s primary returner, averaging 9.7 on punts and 22.9 on kickoffs.

Shaheed some judgment mistakes in fielding some punts, but that should improve with experience. His explosive speed and open field elusiveness could make him a viable threat if Harty, an unrestricted free agent, doesn't return. 

Look for New Orleans to continue focusing on their coverage teams. It also wouldn't be a surprise if both Lutz and Gillikin faced some training camp competition after off years. 

Outside of a blocked field goal by DE Payton Turner to preserve an opening week win at Atlanta, the special teams units just didn't make up for struggles that the Saints had in several other areas of their team in 2022.

Saints Special Teams Grade = D