New Orleans Saints: 5 offseason needs in 2019

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 20: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a no-call between Tommylee Lewis #11 of the New Orleans Saints and Nickell Robey-Coleman #23 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs the ball during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Re-sign RB Mark Ingram

Yes, he now has eight NFL seasons and 1,321 regular-season carries under his shoulder pads. And this past year, he was suspended for the first four games for violation of the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. But these past two seasons, New Orleans Saints’ running back Mark Ingram has teamed with 2017 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara to form arguably the league’s best 1-2 punch out of the backfield.

In 2018, the eight-year pro carried 138 times for 645 yards and six touchdowns. He wound up catching 21 passes for 170 yards and one score. He added 84 yards on 18 attempts in the playoff split with the Eagles and Rams. In both the regular and postseason, Ingram averaged a crisp 4.7 yards per carry.

A Pro Bowler in 2014 and ’17, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner touched the ball only 159 times during the regular season this past year. Ingram has totaled only 1,549 touches from scrimmage in eight seasons, amassing a solid 7,605 yards from scrimmage and 55 touchdowns. Off a year which saw his playing time reduced, there figures to be a lot of life left in the 29-year-old performer.

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The Saints’ balance on offense these past two seasons has made life easier for not only quarterback Drew Brees but has helped keep the defense off the field much more than in the past. Letting Ingram test the free-agent market and letting him get away could be a decision to franchise winds up regretting.

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