x
Breaking News
More () »

Mouton: Saints are young and talented and could easily make another run at Super Bowl

There are 18 young, key players that are 27 or younger, so as long as number 9 plays, the window is open

METAIRIE, La. — The Saints were obviously good enough to be in the Super Bowl this year, and even with a 40-year-old quarterback, the window is wide open for 2019, because the Saints have put together a terrific young nucleus.

Take a look.

22-years-old

Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Williams, Marcus Davenport.

23-years-old

Alvin Kamara, Eli Apple

24-years-old

Ryan Ramczyk, Sheldon Rankins, Alex Anzalone, Vonn Bell

25-years-old

Mike Thomas, Andrus Peat, P.J. Williams

26-years-old

Tyeler Davison, David Onyemata

27-years-old

Terron Armstead, Larry Warford, Alex Okafor, A.J. Klein

That’s 18 young, key players so as long as number 9 plays, the window is open.

So, where do the Saints need upgrades?

Nick Underhill, with the New Orleans Advocate wrote, and I completely agree, the Saints need to upgrade their offensive weapons. They need at least one wide receiver and a tight end. Josh Hill is solid in the running game, but, the Saints need a pass-catching tight end.

As Nick points out, you might already have wideout help in house, in Cam Meredith or Tre’ Quan Smith. The Saints signed Meredith last year in free agency. He came here with a knee injury and was just never right and never really contributed. Smith flashed potential, but clearly he needs to get stronger.

One or both of those guys could emerge in 2019.

Beyond that, you need depth. Depending on what you do with your own free agents, you need depth at cornerback, offensive line and defensive tackle and backup quarterback.

The Saints are not going to get a lot of help in the draft with just one pick in the first four rounds. They do have five picks later in the draft with one in round five and two each in rounds six and seven.

The great thing about the young core of the Saints team is that the Saints do not have a lot of key free agents. Actually, there is just one that would be considered a major free agent. That’s Mark Ingram, who is 29-years-old. That’s not young for a running back. I don’t think he gets great offers elsewhere. I think Ingram comes back. Then the Saints have to make a decision on several key role players like Tyeler Davison, PJ Williams, Craig Robertson, Chris Banjo, Jermon Bushrod, Josh LeRibeus and Michael Ola.

There are also some question marks including backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and receiver Dez Bryant. Do you try to bring one or both of them back and what are the markets for those two guys.

One restricted free agent that I could see getting offers elsewhere is kicker Wil Lutz, but the Saints have the option to match any offer to Lutz.

Free agency begins March 11. There is no reason to think the Saints won’t be good enough to get back to the Super Bowl again.

Before You Leave, Check This Out