Did The New Orleans Saints do enough in the off season to win the NFC South? The New Orleans Saints in-depth analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season. Will these additions help The New Orleans Saints build on their 2013 season and win the NFC South in 2014?
The New Orleans Saints finished the 2013 season with an 11-5 record, beating The Carolina Panthers in the wild card game and losing subsequently to the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional game of the 2013 NFL playoffs. Big turnaround in their defense with the hiring of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and the return of Sean Payton from the season long 2012 “Bountygate” scandal. The New Orleans Saints had a good draft, jumping ahead of The Green Bay Packers and nabbing WR Brandin Cooks. They also added an instant playmaker in their secondary by drafting CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste who will match up well with division rivals WRs; Atlanta Falcon's Julio Jones, Carolina Panther's Kelvin Benjamin, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans. Read in my article, 2014 New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis why I think the New Orleans had a great draft day. Along with CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, New Orleans signed CB Champ Bailey and SS Jarius Byrd to make up for the loss of SS Roman Harper and FS Malcolm Jenkins. Only position really unsettled is still the Center position but I am sure Coach Payton has a plan. The Saints let FB Jed Collins walk in free agency but signed FB Erik Lorig which I think is an upgrade. Losing RB Darren Sproles will definitely impact the Saints immediately but I don't think enough to change the win/loss record negatively alone.
Players lost in the off season to other teams
- Charles Brown, T--4th season, signed by The New York Giants
- Jed Collins, FB--3rd season, signed by The Detroit Lions
- Brian De La Puente, C--3rd season, signed by The Chicago Bears
- Roman Harper, SS--8th season, signed by The Carolina Panthers
- Malcolm Jenkins, FS--5th season, signed by The Philadelphia Eagles
- Tom Johnson, DT--3rd season, signed by The Minnesota Vikings
- Lance Moore, WR--8th season, signed by The Pittsburgh Steelers
- Will Smith, DE--10th season, signed by The New England Patriots
- Eddie Whitley, DB--Rookie season, signed by The Arizona Cardinals
- Darren Sproles, RB--10th season, traded to The Philadelphia Eagles
Players signed in free agency from other teams
- Champ Bailey, CB--15th season, signed from The New Orleans Saints
- Jairus Byrd, FS--5th season, signed from The Buffalo Bills
- Erik Lorig, FB--4th season, signed from The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Can The New Orleans Saints make it to the playoffs in 2014?
The New Orleans Saints are in a competitive division and will need to maintain their defensive re-emergence to contend again. They lost a lot more players in free agency than they signed and they had a pedestrian draft adding little to the depth chart because of their slim six draft picks. WR Brandin Cooks will be an immediate upgrade for QB Drew Brees and should be in the running immediately for Rookie Offensive Player of the Year. Tampa Bay is a “new team” this year with a new coach, QB, and an upgraded receiving corps. Carolina Panthers aim to be a defensive giant again and the Atlanta Falcons will struggle to find footing in the division. I don't see New Orleans making the playoffs this year. I don't see the proof that New Orleans got stronger in a year that saw a deep NFL rookie class and a huge expansion in salary cap dollars per team. I do see a new sheriff in town and fully expect The Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the NFC South. I expect the Saints to regress and finish 8-8. Sorry New Orleans fans.
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