The NFL offseason is upon us, and teams will begin working to craft their 2023 rosters in the coming months. In this series of offseason previews, we will look at what each team has to work with and their biggest needs. Today we continue with the New Orleans Saints offseason preview.
As a reminder, here are dates to keep in mind for the 2023 NFL offseason:
- March 7: deadline for teams to use the franchise tag
- March 13: legal tampering period opens
- March 15: NFL free agency begins and the new league year starts
- April 21: deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
- April 27-29: NFL draft
- May 1: deadline for teams to exercise 5th-year options on 2020 first-round draft picks
- July 15: deadline for franchise tag players to sign an extension
You can find previous team’s offseason previews here: Bears | Bengals | Browns | Lions | Packers | Steelers | Vikings | Ravens | 49ers | Broncos | Rams | Chargers | Seahawks | Raiders | Cardinals | Chiefs | Eagles | Dolphins | Giants | Jets | Patriots | Commanders | Falcons | Texans |
2022 Summary
The Saints had to put together a patchwork cast of quarterbacks in 2022. Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, and Taysom Hill combined for 3,969 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions while completing 66.0 percent of their passes.
New Orleans finished 7-10.
So, the answer? Derek Carr on a monster contract.
But wait …Derek Carr threw for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions while completing 60.8 percent of his passes with Davante Adams in his huddle.
Oh, New Orleans.
Key Positional Needs
Here’s where the Saints need to find help this offseason:
- WR
- S
- G
- CB
Key Free Agents
Here’s a look at the Saints upcoming key free agents:
- Marcus Davenport (DE)
- Ethan Greenidge (OT)
- Mark Ingram (RB)
- Kaden Ellis (LB)
- J.T. Gray (SS)
- Jarvis Landry (WR)
- Bradley Roby (CB)
- David Onyemata (DT)
Salary Cap & Draft Capital
Here’s a look at the salary cap room and draft capital that the Saints have to work with this offseason:
- Current draft picks: 29 (1), 40 (2), 71 (3), 115 (4), 148 (5), 168 (5), 229 (7), 260 (7)
- Cap space: –$25.0M
Offseason Outlook
So, the combination of Dalton and Winston are gone, and Derek Carr is in for the Saints in 2023. Now they just have to figure out how to fit his massive contract into their already messy cap situation. Oh, and then have money to spend on other free agents.
Because Derek Carr can’t be the only upgrade on a 7-10 team, right … right!?
If you want to read about how the Saints are clearing butt-loads of cash to make room for Carr, I wrote about it the other day.
Related Reading
If you’re looking for more offseason reading, Sam Hoppen at 4for4 (our sister company) is previewing each division:
NFC South: Key Free Agents, Draft Picks & Needs, and Available Cap Space | 4for4