The 2024 NFL Season is rapidly approaching. The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 and every day through Monday, September 2 we’ll be going team-by-team as we preview the new season. Be sure to come back here every afternoon as we look at a new team and get your ready for the 2024 season. We’ll cover off-season changes, the fantasy prospects, and the prediction for how the team will fare this season.

The Saints began a new era in 2023, acquiring quarterback Derek Carr. It didn’t go as planned. Carr was solid, as were many offensive playmakers, but the Saints weren’t a flashy team. The Saints finished a solid 9-8 but weren’t able to win the tiebreaker with the Buccaneers, missing out on the playoffs. Heading into 2024 the Saints will try to improve on that mark and get back to the NFL post-season. Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The Saints saw a handful of veterans depart this off-season, including receiver Michael Thomas, quarterback Jameis Winston, guard Andrus Peat, and defensive linemen P.J. Mustipher and Malcolm Roach. The Saints also brought in a handful of veterans, including defensive end Chase Young to bolster the pass rush and linebacker Willie Gay, Jr., from the Chiefs. The team also added to its receiver room by signing Cedrick Wilson.

In the draft, the Saints added Tailese Fuaga to bolster the offensive line. The team also brought in Kool-Aid McKinstry to bolster the secondary. In the most interesting pick, the Saints used a day three pick to add quarterback prospect Spencer Rattler. Rattler spent his first few seasons with Oklahoma before transferring to South Carolina. In two seasons with South Carolina, he threw for 6,212 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Fantasy Prospects

It should be Carr’s team in 2024 but if the Saints struggle, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Rattler get a shot to show what he’s got. Carr is a borderline QB2, but I like him better as a QB3. In the backfield, it’s a three-way battle between Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and Jamaal Williams. Kamara should be the lead dog, finishing as RB11 in 2023. I like him in the RB2 range in 2024. The bigger question is whether Williams and Miller step up in 2024 after both missed time a year ago. Williams is the veteran and could be a Red Zone threat, but I like Miller to finish higher of the two and have some flex value.

In the passing game, Chris Olave leads the way. He was WR16 in 2023 and I think he will finish in the WR2 range again. Beyond Olave, there aren’t a lot of options for the Saints in fantasy. Second-year receiver A.T. Perry profiles to have a bigger role, while Rashid Shaheed is back. At tight end, Juwan Johnson is recovering from injury and Taysom Hill is still in the mix. Hill is a sleeper for me after finishing as TE12 in 2023. I like Shaheed as WR4, similar to where he finished in 2023.

Prediction

The Saints were 9-8 in 2023 but missed out on the playoffs. It’s quite possible their division and the NFC in general has gotten stronger. I think the Saints will be competitive, but I see them more in the six-to-nine-win range. A key injury to Carr or Olave could sink them even lower. I also think this season could be the preamble more sweeping changes next off-season.

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.