JACKSON: Key questions facing the Saints as NFL Combine begins

By Ross Jackson

The NFL Combine is one of the league’s most important events. Not only is it the keystone function wherein draft prospects can change their lives, it is also a massive information-gathering event. Its convention-like atmosphere brings together every major news-breaker and decision-maker for almost a week. 

With every team’s top personnel present, news moves quickly throughout the Indianapolis Convention Center and its surrounding downtown area. LouisianaSports.Net will be on site in Indianapolis, and here are a few things we hope to learn about the New Orleans Saints throughout the week. 

The Saints’ decision on quarterback Derek Carr 

New head coach Kellen Moore wasn’t willing to outright commit to starting quarterback Derek Carr as the Week One signal caller, but he didn’t rule anything out either. The sense was that Moore’s non-committal response was genuinely born of an unmade decision. 

Now that a few weeks have passed since then, Moore and his coaching staff have had some time to evaluate the roster. If any decision has been made on what the Saints intend to do at quarterback, we are likely to find out this week. 

Along with this, if the team isn’t moving forward with Carr, finding out who is in their plans will be the next step. The Saints have a young passer on their roster in Spencer Rattler. There are also draft prospects and potential free agency pursuits that could add some competition to the situation. 

The future of aging veterans 

New Orleans currently has eight players on its roster over the age of 30, plus outgoing free agent offensive lineman Lucas Patrick, 31. Of those players, the future of veteran defenders like defensive end Cameron Jordan, linebacker Demario Davis, and safety Tyrann Mathieu are constantly debated. 

Perhaps in Indianapolis, there will be greater clarity given about the team’s actual plans with these players and others beyond the speculation that already exists. 

The expected retirement of Ryan Ramczyk 

Similarly, we may hear about the plans with offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who is expected to retire this offseason. A member of the Saints’ outstanding 2017 draft class, Ramczyk has been plagued by a degenerative knee issue that came to a head in 2023, keeping him off the field for the entire 2024 season. 

The 2019 first-team All-Pro had his salary reduced to veteran minimum earlier this offseason. That has typically been a precursor to an upcoming retirement. 

Paulson Adebo’s future 

One of the team’s most important outgoing free agents, cornerback Paulson Adebo, should be a priority to retain. At least, that’s what we think. Finding out what the Saints and new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley think will be the next piece to the puzzle. 

Adebo has been a starter for the Saints’ defense since he was drafted in 202, but that was in former coach Dennis Allen’s defense. If Staley wants a different mold or would rather reunite with a former draft pick of his own in upcoming free agent corner Asante Samuel Jr., a reunion with Adebo could be out of the question. 

How much the Saints’ defense scheme will actually change 

Since the hiring of Staley, the assumption has been that New Orleans will shift its defense to a 3-4 base. Perhaps in 2025, the defensive front doesn’t see much change, but in 2026 it does. There are several possibilities here. 

Many would argue that a shift to 3-4 would be a positive change for the Saints, I certainly have, but ultimately it will come down to what the team wants to do and what they feel they can do with personnel both promised and potential. The move would prompt a new edge rusher role and therefore prototype, one that is plentiful and talented in this year’s draft.