Top Offseason Needs for the Saints

What are the biggest areas of need for the Saints in 2021?

2021 figures to be an interesting season for the New Orleans Saints. While the announcement of a Drew Brees retirement hasn't come yet, it certainly feels like it's right around the corner. That leaves the team in an unfamiliar spot by figuratively having to start life over after having their major staple and leader since 2006. With that actually brings about some excitement.

The Saints are looking to be a contender in the new league year, as evidenced by the words of general manager Mickey Loomis. New Orleans is still considered to be one of the front-runners in the betting odds, but they're going to have some major offseason decisions to make to get there. We take a general look at some of their top needs they'll have to address, which factors in mainly impending free agents and is going to omit the obvious need of quarterback.

Tight End

As we highlighted in our position grade column, Jared Cook had his fair share of highlights and lowlights last season, and there's hardly a scenario where the Saints pick up his $8 million roster bonus going in 2021. Adam Trautman, or appropriately dubbed as Big Fish, will likely have a larger role on his hands next season. The team will have Josh Hill and Garrett Griffin returning to the mix, but Cook's potential departure and Taysom Hill's cloudy outlook should make the team look around for another tight end. Perhaps they can go bargain bin shopping here, or look at options like Gerald Everett (Rams) or see if taking a flier on someone like Tyler Eifert (Jaguars), who is coming off a very disappointing season in Jacksonville. 

Defensive End

Trey Hendrickson is likely on his way to a big pay day in free agency after having a breakout season. The former third-rounder put together a 13.5-sack campaign in 2020 in a season where Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport both regressed. As suggested in a recent free agency 'stay or go' column, this could be a good year for someone like Carl Granderson to make the leap and potentially get a player like Noah Spence back on the team for relatively cheap. Will that solve everything? Probably not. However, keeping Ryan Nielsen is a very underrated move the team made in the offseason, which means they could possibly develop someone in the mix.

Of course, there's going to be a lot of intrigue with pass rushers who are hitting the market like J.J. Watt (Texans) and Ryan Kerrigan (Redskins). Carl Lawson (Bengals), DeMarcus Walker (Broncos), and Charles Harris (Falcons) are also interesting and younger options that could be explored. Naturally, the best bet for New Orleans is having Jordan return to form, Davenport live up to the hype, and then getting someone in the rotation to fill the Hendrickson role. 

Wide Receiver

It's hardly a secret, but this was a group who battled through injury last year and did what they could. Emmanuel Sanders proved to be a good free agency signing, but his future is uncertain with the Saints facing a $10.5 million cap hit from him to go along with the $18.8 million hit from Michael Thomas. There's the potential for players like Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris to take a leap in the offense next season, and Tre'Quan Smith will also be playing out the final year of his rookie deal.

Whoever plays quarterback for New Orleans, another threat or stable target would be desirable. This was the first season since 2014 that the team did not have a 1,000-yard receiver, and it was also the lowest combined receiving output (181 catches for 1,986 yards) from the top three in the Sean Payton era. 

Saints Receiving Trio Stats Since 2006 / John Hendrix

New Orleans could very well roll with what they had last year, and could hope for players like Juwan Johnson and Lil'Jordan Humphrey to grow year over year. As we've witnessed, it's easy for the Saints to bring players back like Tommylee Lewis and Austin Carr when they're in a pinch. If they were to target anyone in free agency that's not necessarily the obvious big names, then Demarcus Robinson (Chiefs) and Keelan Cole (Jaguars) would be some players to keep an eye on.

Other Areas Worth Mentioning

• Linebacker - Craig Robertson and Alex Anzalone are some of the impending free agents for the Saints, and they'll also have to make a decision on Kwon Alexander's contract ($13.4 million hit). Hopefully, Zack Baun is ready to make a big leap next season, but New Orleans is still going to need some depth and/or starters to pair with Demario Davis.
• Cornerback - Janoris Jenkins has a $14.2 million cap hit, and Marshon Lattimore's 5th-year option is projected to be just over $10 million. It's the boat the team is in, and a Lattimore extension could really help navigate things, if that's the direction the team looks to go.
• Offensive Line - James Hurst (free agency) and Nick Easton (released) are two of the big pieces the team doesn't have going into next season. This team has to have quality depth and insurance here.