The New Orleans Saints are embarking on a new era in 2021. Long-time starting quarterback, Drew Brees, retired from the NFL this offseason, marking the first time since 2005 that he will not be the starting quarterback.
With salary cap restraints, the team had to make a lot of roster moves this offseason as well to become compliant with the league’s rules. It was difficult to add players to the team this offseason, but the Saints are still solid on both sides of the ball.
What can we expect from New Orleans in 2021? Here are five bold predictions for the team this upcoming season.
5. Jameis Winston Makes Pro Bowl
The New Orleans Saints have yet to name a starting quarterback for the 2021 season. But, it will be Jameis Winston that locks down the job and he will make the most of it, putting together a strong season.
Winston was able to sit on the sidelines and watch how things are done in New Orleans for an entire season, which will better prepare him to take over as the starter this season. He has some extra motivation after he was passed over in favor of Taysom Hill last season as well when Drew Brees was injured.
Winston will earn his second career Pro Bowl spot and have a winning season for the second time in his career as well.
4. Adam Trautman Breaks Out
The New Orleans Saints used a third-round pick in 2020 on Adam Trautman out of Dayton. Tight end is a notoriously difficult position for rookies to transition into the league at, especially when you are coming from an FCS school.
But, heading into Year 2, things are lined up for Trautman to break out. He is the starting tight end after Josh Hill was cut and Jared Cook departed in free agency. There are targets up for grabs with Cook and Emmanuel Sanders no longer on the team and Michael Thomas recovering from an ankle procedure.
Trautman was also an excellent blocking tight end, meaning he will rarely be taken off the field regardless of the situation.
That will all lead to a big breakout from Trautman, who will quadruple his rookie season output across the board when it comes to receptions, yardage and touchdowns.
3. Marshon Lattimore Gets Back On Track
When Marshon Lattimore broke into the league out of Ohio State in 2017, he looked like a star. He registered a coverage grade of 87.9, but has seen that number drop each season since.
In 2020, Lattimore provided plenty of production on the ball with two interceptions and 11 passes defended. He allowed only 52.9 percent of passes completed that he was targeted on, but he did give up eight touchdowns and committed 11 penalties.
Lattimore is hoping that the turnaround he experienced in the second half of 2020 will carry into 2021, and we think that will happen. He will return to his Pro Bowl ways, locking down one-half of the field for the Saints defense this upcoming season.
2. Marquez Callaway Leads Team In Receiving
The New Orleans Saints depth chart at wide receiver is going to look a lot different to start the 2021 season than it did at the end of 2020. Veteran Emmanuel Sanders moved on in free agency, but Michael Thomas will likely be sidelined as well as he recovers from an ankle procedure.
That leaves some big shoes to fill, but it will be second-year wide receiver, Marquez Callaway, that steps up and fills the void.
Callaway will become Jameis Winston’s favorite target at the beginning of the season and that will carry on throughout the entirety of the campaign. Callaway will lead the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns this season
1. Saints Snag A Wild Card Spot
The New Orleans Saints are going to look different this season, but they will have enough to sneak into a playoff spot still. Jameis Winston is motivated to prove his doubters wrong, providing enough offensively through the air with Alvin Kamara leading the way on the ground.
Defensively, the Saints still have excellent core pieces with Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis and Marshon Lattimore. Someone such as Marcus Davenport improving would help the defense remain near the top of the league in 2021 as they were in 2020.
Also, the team still has Sean Payton on the sidelines. As long as he is the team’s head coach, you know he will get the most out of the roster and put them in a position to win.
