The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

The Saints entered the 2022 season hoping to make the playoffs. While the team looked strong at times, it was an uneven season. The Saints ended up finishing just 7-10, in third place in the division. The lack of a franchise quarterback seemed to be holding the roster back. So, this off-season, getting a franchise quarterback was mission No. 1.

Off-Season Changes

The Saints saw some roster turnover, with a few players heading to the Broncos after former Head Coach Sean Payton signed there. Those players included tight end Adam Trautman and receiver Marquez Callaway. Meanwhile, veteran quarterback Andy Dalton moved on to the Carolina Panthers. Finally, defensive end Marcus Davenport moved on to sign with the Vikings.

But the Saints did land a franchise quarterback, signing Derek Carr, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders. Carr is 63-79 as a starter, having thrown for 35,222 yards and 99 touchdowns. He figures to give some upside and stability to the Raiders. The team also acquired veteran running back Jamaal Williams, who rushed for 17 touchdowns in 2022 with the Lions.

In the draft, the Saints spent their first two picks on the defensive line, taking Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey. In the third round, the team snagged TCU back Kendre Miller. Miller rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He could well be the future for the Saints’ backfield. The team also snagged receiver A.T. Perry late in the draft.

Fantasy Impact

At quarterback, Carr is the starter. The team also has Jameis Winston, one of the better reserve options. Still, I think Carr is a QB2. In the backfield, Alvin Kamara is suspended for the first three games. When he comes back, he has more competition in Williams and Miller. I think it ends up being a combination of Kamara and Williams, with Kamara as an RB2 and Williams more of an RB3 with touchdown upside. Miller feels like more of a long-term bet.

In the passing game, it’s all about Chris Olave. Olave finished as WR25 as a rookie, catching 72 passes for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns. I like him as a WR2 this season. The other solid piece is tight end Juwan Johnson, who re-signed after finishing as TE15 in 2022. I think he has fringe TE1 upside. Among the rest, Michael Thomas is still there and slot man Rashid Shaheed figure to contribute. I like Thomas’ talent, but I don’t trust him to stay on the field. I’m not bullish on relying on any Saints outside of Johnson and Olave.

Prediction

The Saints had their moments but finished just 7-10 in 2022. This team made a splash acquiring Carr and is still in a winnable division, but are they better? I’m not sure. I think a seven-to-nine-win range makes sense. That could be good enough, but this could also be a team that finishes near the bottom of its own division again.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.