The New Orleans Saints went 11-5 in the 2017 season and lost in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings in an unforgettable fashion. The Saints have propped open the championship window for Drew Brees for a bit longer due to a resurgent rushing attack and a formidable defense.
The Saints enter 2018 with the 14th-most available cap space in the league with slightly north of $25 million free. Running back could have been a potential need as Mark Ingram had an out clause in his contract if he had made the All-Pro team. Luckily for the Saints, Ingram was left off the squad and will remain under contract for 2018. The team needs to bolster the wide receiver and tight end positions as there was little to be excited about (or for opposing teams to game plan for) other than Michael Thomas at either position. A running back (Alvin Kamara) was second on the team in targets and receptions.
Three additions we want to see for fantasy
Jordan Matthews, WR: Matthews enjoyed his most productive seasons manning the slot for the Eagles. He was forced to play out of position in Buffalo, only registering 17 slot receptions, after averaging 67 slot receptions over the previous two seasons in Philadelphia. Wide receiver slot production was a gaping void for the Saints in 2017, where Brandon Coleman led the team with just 11 receptions.
Jimmy Graham, TE: Although Graham is no longer the player who used to haul in 80 receptions per season for Brees on the regular, he is still a red-zone weapon. The 31-year-old posted 10 touchdowns for Seattle in 2017 and hauled in 57 receptions. Graham would make this potent offense even more lethal near the end zone. Graham would also not require a long-term, high-dollar deal due to his age and would allow the team to spread cap dollars around to address multiple positions of need.
Early-round QB: Brees is a free agent but has said he’ll only play for New Orleans in 2018. Any contract agreed upon by the two sides is likely to be short in duration. Though he still has enough in the tank to run the offense, at age 39 it’s finally time for the team to get serious about a succession plan.
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