JACKSON: The Saints’ three biggest positions of need

By Ross Jackson

Aside from hiring a new head coach, the New Orleans Saints’ 2025 offseason will be an eventful one. Changes to the coaching staff will take top priority, followed by the team’s annual salary cap maneuvering. Roster reconstruction will also be a must.

New Orleans is staring down the long road of a multi-year rebuild, but they could make progress at key positions sooner rather than later.

The trick will be identifying the biggest positions of need. What makes the task so complicated is the fact that the Saints’ roster is aging, underwhelming, and lacking depth. Meaning, just about any position could be considered most important. However, here are the positions they may be better off addressing in a significant way as soon as possible.

Many will argue that quarterback is at the top of the list, but the fact of the matter is that New Orleans will likely have to make that decision based on what their new head coach wants to do. 

If the new head coach is willing to take a free year with starting quarterback Derek Carr, then there’s no rush for change. The same thing applies if they want to roll out 2024 rookie Spencer Rattler, instead. If they prefer to handpick someone through free agency or the draft (good luck), that becomes priority No. 1 this offseason.

With a quarterback pursuit unlikely this offseason, the focus turns to other primary positions. After quarterback, every team turns their focus to blind-side protection. With the home run selection of left tackle Taliese Fuaga in the 2024 draft, that box is checked. 

The next priority is typically getting the opposing signal caller. This is where the Saints’ first big need arises: edge rusher. 

The Saints have made things work with a focus on size and power at pass rusher for a while. However, the effectiveness of the approach has dropped drastically as NFL passers get more and more athletic and elusive. 

Whether it’s a trade-up for Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter, sticking and picking an athletic edge defender like Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton in this year’s NFL draft, or going to the free agent market, the Saints desperately need an influx of speed, bend, and athleticism to revitalize their pass rush. The Saints have not attained 40 sacks in either of the last two years, despite there now being 17 games. 

Before then, the Saints surpassed 40 sacks every year between 2017 and 2022, which lines up with the arrival and departure of former defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen. Nielsen was also co-defensive coordinator in 2022. 

The free agent market could see some viable options shake loose. Who will intrigue New Orleans comes down to how amenable they are to finally changing their archetypical approach. 

Next, teams usually try to focus on who is catching the football or keeping other receivers from doing it. Truthfully, the former seems like a bigger need. The Saints have a duo of dynamic and explosive wide receivers in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, but they could use a big-bodied X-receiver to complement their play style. 

In free agency, players like Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins and Buffalo Bills receiver Amari Cooper could hit the market. Meanwhile, the draft could yield the team top receiver talents like Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan in the first round, TCU’s Savion Williams in the second, or Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins in day two. However, that’s before the Scouting Combine and draft process affect their stock. 

It may not be a premium, but the next important position that comes to mind for New Orleans is left guard. Both free agent acquisitions Lucas Patrick and Oli Udoh underwhelmed either because of injury issues or lack of impact. New Orleans needs a new starter on the interior, especially if they continue to roll with a wide zone run system. Lucky for them, there’s good news. 

If the Saints play their cards (and funds) right, they should be able to address this position in free agency. Young veteran players like Patrick Mekari of the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears left guard Teven Jenkins, Dalton Risner, who returned to the Minnesota Vikings last season, and San Francisco 49ers left guard Aaron Banks could all be available. 

Sure, some will return to their teams, but there are numerous solid starting-capable options set to hit the market in the offensive interior. This is a spot where the Saints should be looking to invest before the NFL draft. 

Addressing those positions alone won’t solve the Saints’ continuing woes. They still need help with depth, as they struggle to keep players on the field, they could stand to add more playmaking power on offense and of course need help bolstering the interior of their defensive line. 

There is time and resources to start to patch up those needs, especially in this year’s draft. If they want to start somewhere, edge rusher, wide receiver, and left guard are a smart place to look first.