New Orleans Saints 2020 NFL Draft first-round targets
By Ian Higgins
After yet another controversial end to their season, Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints look to add weapons to make another super bowl run.
First the Los Angeles Rams, now the Minnesota Vikings. The New Orleans Saints seemingly can’t out-run questionable officiating in the postseason and continue to finish short of their goals despite the overwhelming talent throughout the roster.
Michael Thomas broke the single-season receptions record with 145 catches on the year, and Drew Brees continues to show his prowess as an aging quarterback in a young league. Alvin Kamara had a down year with only 797 yards and five touchdowns on the ground but should to bounce back with a strong 2020 campaign.
This offseason presents numerous questions in free agency for the Saints, with the biggest names not under contract being:
- All three quarterbacks
- Drew Brees
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Taysom Hill
- OG Andrus Peat
- FB Zach Line
- SS Von Bell
Among others, these starters and key pieces to the roster all contributed their share during the 2019 and their losses would be felt throughout the organization going into the 2020 season. The New Orleans Saints also only rank 28th in remaining cap room, entering free agency at $12.3 million under the cap. With little wiggle room, Payton and the Saints need to look to retain few assets and fill gaps in the roster with young, cheap rookies.
For this article speculating the top five first-round targets (selecting at 24th), I will be predicting a scenario in which the sole returner among the previously listed free agents will be quarterback Drew Brees on a short-term deal looking to win a championship within a two-year window. The New Orleans Saints are still retaining a young core of Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara to head the offense alongside Brees.