Saints In ESPN's Future Power Ranking | 2023

ESPN gives the New Orleans Saints a less-than-favorable future power ranking.

According to ESPN, New Orleans will launch another season of futility and disappointment with a below-average ranking. The network's pundits rank the Saints at No. 25 in the league, with two-of-three NFC South foes positioned higher on its NFL Future Power Rankings list. It's yet another battle Dennis Allen's team will need to overcome as training camps officially start next week.

ESPN's Dan Graziano, Louis Riddick, and Seth Walder rated each NFL team's "quarterback situation, remaining (non-QB) roster, drafting ability/capital, front office, and coaching." Here's the scale:

• 100: A+ (Elite)
• 90: A (Great)
• 80: B (Very good)
• 70: C (Average)
• 60: D (Very bad)
• 50 and below: F (Disastrous)

"After averaging the results from the panelists, each of the five categories was weighted to create the overall score: roster (30%), quarterback (20%), draft (15%), front office (15%), and coaching (20%)."

According to ESPN's rankings, Carolina (No. 20, 77.3) and Atlanta (No. 24, 74.0) are rated higher than New Orleans. The Bucs have fallen to No. 31 with a score of 70.1.

New Orleans received low scores, starting with coaching at 66.0 (ranked 31st), followed by draft class at 67.3 (ranked 28th), and front office at 72.3 (ranked 28th). However, the Saints' quarterback position received a higher score of 75.7 (ranked 20th), and their overall roster received 78.3 (ranked 19th).

Surprisingly, the ESPN panel holds a low opinion of the New Orleans front office, led by general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant general manager Jeff Ireland. Regarding the coaching situation, Riddick wrote, "Can this group get the best out of [Derek] Carr and get him in sync with receivers Thomas, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed to form a legit explosive offense?"

The discussion focuses on the new defensive coordinator Joe Wood, how Pete Carmichael is utilizing the Saints' assets, and the current state of Michael Thomas' health. Graziano was more optimistic, noting, "there's evidence that a bounceback year in New Orleans could be in the cards."

Although this is another national outlet's low prediction of New Orleans, I wouldn't place stock in these reports. After evaluating the training camp roster, the team still has questions. Yet, having an evolving team before and during training camp is normal. With this in mind, are the Saints an above-average to a playoff team in 2023-24?

We shall see.