While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months. However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year. Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here. In today's article, I'll be discussing the New Orleans Saints. I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season. To check out an article for another team, click the link below: https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl 2022 Season Recap The Saints were considered the 3rd best team in the NFC South despite finishing in a three-way tie for 2ndplace. They finished just one game behind the division champs but ultimately had nothing to show for it. New Orleans was solid defensively, especially against the pass. But their offensive performance left a lot to be desired in the second half of the season. They were ultimately an afterthought for most fans around the league with not a lot of star power or much to pay attention to. Significant Roster Moves New Orleans will lose out on a good amount of production from last year’s defensive unit with the departures of Marcus Davenport, Kaden Elliss, David Onyemata, and Shy Tuttle. They also let go of Andy Dalton, Mark Ingram, Marquez Callaway, and Jarvis Landry from the offensive side of the ball. The Saints attempted to remedy last season’s quarterback struggles by signing Derek Carr to take control of the offense. The unit around him is pretty similar to last season, though Michael Thomas will finally return and attempt to stay healthy for the entirety of the upcoming season. Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd were the only major free agency additions to the defense and will plug up the middle of the D-line. 2023 Draft Class The Saints had seven picks in the 2023 draft and used them to fill depth on both sides of the ball. Their top two picks were both defensive linemen but will both start their careers as 2nd stringers. While none of their rookies will be immediate starters, a handful of them should earn decent playing time throughout the year. 4th round QB pick Jake Haener will get to study behind Derek Carr and Jameis Winston his rookie year. Season Schedule The Saints will take on the NFC North and the AFC South in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games. Their other three opponents are the New England Patriots, New York Giants, and Los Angeles Rams. With an opponent prior season win percentage of .427, New Orleans has the 2nd easiest schedule in the NFL. New Orleans’s primetime games include two Thursday night games versus Jacksonville and at the LA Rams and one Monday night game at Carolina. Depth Charts Offense Defense Special Teams The Saints return 14 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year. Saints fans will just hope their starters can remain healthy this season, as several of last year’s guys missed substantial time in 2022. Alvin Kamara will miss the first three games of the season for an off-the field fight that occurred last offseason, but the offense will hopefully start clicking by the time he returns. New Orleans will like their chances in the NFC South if they get the production they’re expecting out of Derek Carr. Coaching Staff Dennis Allen returns for his 2nd season as Head Coach of the Saints, along with two coordinators from last season: Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael (15th season) and Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi (5th season). Joe Woods was hired in the offseason to take over as Defensive Coordinator after spending three seasons as DC of the Browns. Betting Odds Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for New Orleans at 9.5 games. As of right now, the Saints are the favorites to win the NFC South and the 5th most likely team to win the NFC as a whole. At +3000 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are tied for 12th among all teams in the league. Bucket Squad Predictions Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Saints to finish 11-6 in 2023 to win the NFC South. They’ll finish 3rd in the conference and secure an automatic bid to the postseason.
What do you think? Will New Orleans be better or worse than I'm projecting? What offseason moves made by the Saints surprised you the most? Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them. Written by Nick Swatson
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AuthorExpert Nick Swatson discusses all the news, predictions, and outcomes surrounding the NFL. Archives
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