NFL power rankings: Training camp edition
By Brad Weiss
New Orleans Saints
, NFC South
Incredibly, the New Orleans Saints have not made the playoffs since 2013, and patience is starting to wear thin in the Bayou. Head coach Sean Payton was the darling of the city after bringing a Super Bowl title after Hurricane Katrina, but the team has struggled to reach .500 in each of the last three seasons. Like Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati, another year below .500 could spell the end of Payton’s tenure in New Orleans.
This offseason, the Saints traded away wide receiver Brandin Cooks, getting a first-round pick back from the New England Patriots. With two picks in the first round, the Saints brought in two very talented players in Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and Wisconsin offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Both players should be able to contribute right away, as will the most publicized addition of the offseason.
After being a Hall of Fame player for the Minnesota Vikings for his entire career, the team decided to say farewell to Adrian Peterson this offseason. The running back signed with the Saints this offseason, and will join a backfield featuring Mark Ingram, and third round pick, Alvin Kamara. Michael Thomas should be able to slide into the No. 1 spot on the wide receiver depth chart, taking the place of Cooks, after a standout rookie season in 2016.
The defense is going to be a question mark, but they do have some talent in the secondary. Lattimore should start alongside Delvin Breaux at cornerback, and Cameron Jordan is tough up front on the defensive line. The NFC South is loaded this season, and the Saints may not have enough talent to compete for a playoff spot once again. However, they do have Drew Brees at quarterback, so anything is possible.