Saints Special Teams Need to Be Special Again in 2023

After an inconsistent 2022, could we see some new faces on the Saints special teams units?

For the last several years, the New Orleans Saints have had one of the most stable special teams units in the NFL. Punter Thomas Morstead was one of the league's best from 2009 to 2020. Blake Gillikin replaced him in 2021 and had a strong first season. Kicker Garrett Hartley was instrumental in the franchise's first Super Bowl championship. Once he departed in 2013, the team cycled through kickers until the arrival of the reliable Wil Lutz in 2016.

New Orleans took pride in their kick coverage units, often ranking near the top of the league in those categories. The addition of undrafted WR Deonte Harty in 2019 also gave the team an explosive returner capable of flipping field position. 

The Saints weren't as stout on special teams in 2022 as we've come to expect. Special teams coach Darren Rizzi returns and is among the most respected in the business. Lutz and Gillikin are back also, but will encounter some competition for their jobs. As the Saints head towards training camp in less than a month, here's what to watch from their special teams units.

KICKER

Sep 11, 2022; New Orleans Saints place kicker Wil Lutz (3) kicks the go ahead field goal from the hold of punter Blake Gillikin (4) against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

• Wil Lutz 

• Blake Grupe

Core muscle surgery cost Lutz all of 2021, forcing New Orleans to use four different kickers during the year. Upon his return last season, he had some uncharacteristic struggles. He connected on all 33 of his extra point attempts, a welcome sight after the team missed seven such conversions without him in 2021. However, Lutz had previously unseen consistency issues with field goals, missing a career-high eight attempts. 

Lutz converted on 74.2% (23 of 31) of his field goal tries. It was by far the lowest of his career, with 82.1% being the previous low while dealing with injuries in 2020. His range was still evident -- he nailed a 60-yard field goal and was an impressive 4 of 6 from beyond 50 yards. However, Lutz was a concerning 4 of 8 between 40 and 49 yards and missed two kicks under 40 yards, a usually automatic distance for him.

Rookie Blake Grupe was brought in to provide some competition for the 29-year-old Lutz. Grupe has a booming leg, nailing a 59-yarder during the OTAs earlier this month, even though he attempted only two field goals of over 50 yards in his collegiate career with Arkansas State and Notre Dame. 

Grupe must show consistency for even a chance to unseat Lutz for a roster spot. In five years of college, Grupe converted just 74.3% (78 of 105) of his field goal tries. He was perfect on all 49 of his extra points as a senior with Notre Dame, but was only 14 for 19 on field goal attempts. 

Entering the last year of his contract, Lutz will count $4.1 million against the team’s salary cap. That's on the high side for a kicker, but the Saints have the salary space as long as he performs. 

Lutz remains one of the league's best clutch kickers and should be safe, but he faces the first legitimate competition of his career for his job. If he impresses in training camp, Grupe seems more a candidate for the practice squad as a fallback option if the Saints don't re-sign Lutz after the year.

PUNTER

Oct 20, 2022; New Orleans Saints punter Blake Gillikin (4) against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Blake Gillikin 

• Lou Hedley 

Undrafted out of Penn State in 2020, Blake Gillikin was impressive enough to be ''stashed'' on injured reserve as fan favorite Morstead played out the last year of his contract. He paid off the faith of the coaches with a terrific year in 2021.

Gillikin was among the league's leaders with an average of 47.7 yards per punt with a net of 42 yards in 2021. He also helped out his defense tremendously by downing 29 kicks inside an opponent’s 20 with only four touchbacks.

In 2022, Gillikin wasn't nearly as consistent. His gross average dropped to 46.4 yards, with a net of 41.4. He actually placed more punts inside an opponent’s 20 (32), but his touchbacks increased to seven.

Lou Hedley, a rookie from Miami (Fla.) and former Australian rules football player, was brought in for competition. Hedley was a two-time Ray Guy Award finalist and All-ACC with the Hurricanes. The 30-year-old rookie averaged 45.2 yards per punt in his collegiate career. 

A booming leg with terrific accuracy, Gillikin would seem to be safe. Salary isn't an issue, as both players will be on rookie deals. One underrated aspect could be as the holder for Lutz on field goals and extra points. Lutz had always had Morstead as his holder until last season.

Kickoff/Punt Coverage 

Jul 29, 2022; New Orleans Saints fullback Adam Prentice (46) runs into defensive back J.T. Gray (48) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

New Orleans roster decisions at the back half of their depth chart have often been made with an emphasis on special teams. The Saints have often had one of the NFL's most athletic and aggressive coverage units.

After ranking at the top of the league in punt and kickoff coverage in 2020, both squads have taken a step back. In 2022, opponents averaged 8.9 yards per punt return and 22.6 on kickoffs against the Saints. Those aren't atrocious numbers, but well below what the team expects. 

J.T. Gray sees little time at safety for the New Orleans defense, but is one of the league's most respected special teams contributors. The Saints also brought in players like Eno Benjamin, Ugo Amadi, Ty Summers, and Nephi Sewell to compete on coverage units.

Roster bubble players like S Smoke Monday, CB Isaac Yiadom, Amadi, Sewell, Summers, LB Anfernee Orji, LB Nick Anderson, and others could make this roster on special teams alone. By contrast, bubble veterans like S Jonathan Abram and wideouts Bryan Edwards, Lynn Bowden, and Tre'Quan Smith have had little special teams experience in their careers. 

The average fan watches the offense and defense late in preseason games. However, keep a watchful eye on kick coverage units throughout preseason and training camp. It's how many of the roster battles will be won or lost.

Punt/Kickoff Returner

Jan 1, 2023; New Orleans Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed (89) makes a catch behind Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (24). Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Deonte Harty signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent this offseason. His loss doesn't affect the receiver room much, but leaves a potential hole at returner. Harty averaged just 2.7 yards on punts and 22.8 on kickoffs last year before being lost for the season after four games. However, the explosive receiver averaged over 10 yards per punt return and 27 yards on kickoff returns over his first three seasons. 

Undrafted rookie WR Rashid Shaheed was brought up from the practice squad after Harty's injury last season. Shaheed had a marvelous rookie year, catching 28 passes for 488 yards over 12 games. He also averaged 9.7 yards on 20 punt returns and 22.9 per kickoff return. 

Shaheed is an explosive returner. He had an NCAA-record 7 kick returns for touchdowns while at Weber State and earned FCS All-American honors four times. However, his game-breaking ability also has a lot of value to the Saints offense. The team hopes to find a different return option to allow Shaheed to focus on offense. 

Many thought that Malik Flowers, an undrafted wideout from Montana, would fill that role. Flowers tied Shaheed's NCAA record with seven kicks returned for touchdowns, but was surprisingly released in mini-camp. 

Expect the Saints to audition several players at returner throughout preseason. Veteran free-agent pickup Keke Coutee could be one candidate to watch. In limited duty as a punt returner, Coutee has averaged 8.3 yards over a five-year career.

New Orleans may also bring in other players to try at returner throughout camp. They have an explosive fallback with Shaheed, but would prefer to use him as their Number 3 receiver. Returner is just one area to watch closely on the Saints special teams as they attempt to resume their spot among the league's top units.