New Orleans Saints Season Recap

NFC South	Finished 3rd in Division
Overall Record: 7-9 (2-4 in division)	Draft Position: 11th
Head Coach: Sean Payton	GM: Mickey Loomis

Pro Bowlers

• QB Drew Brees

2016 Rankings

	Yards/Game	Points/Game	Passing Yards/Game	Rushing Yards/Game
Offense	1st	2nd	1st	16th	TDs – 2nd
Defense	27th	31st	32nd	14th	Sacks – 27th	INTs – T-27th

Top Passers

Name	Games Started	CMP. PCT.	Yards	TDs	INTs	Passer Rating	QBR
Drew Brees	16	70.0	5,208	37	15	101.7	72

Top Rushers

Name	Rushing Yards	Y/A	TDs
Mark Ingram	1,043	5.1	6
Tim Hightower	548	4.1	4

Top Pass Catchers

Name	Receptions	Yards	Y/C	TDs
Brandin Cooks	78	1,173	15.0	8
Michael Thomas	92	1,137	12.4	9

Top Defensive Players

• LB Craig Robertson - 115 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 1 INT
• S Vonn Bell - 87 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 2 forced fumbles
• DE Cameron Jordan - 58 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• S Kenny Vaccaro, S Jairus Byrd, CB Sterling Moore all tied with 2 interceptions

Impending Free Agents

• OLB Paul Kruger
• DT Nick Fairley
• G Tim Lelito
• SS Roman Harper
• G Jahri Evans
• FB John Kuhn
• DE Darryl Tapp
• SS Jamarca Sanford
• ILB Jason Trusnik
• LS Justin Drescher
• RB Tim Hightower
• CB Kyle Wilson
• T Tony Hills
• RB Travaris Cadet
• CB Sterling Moore
• SS Shiloh Keo
• TE John Phillips
• ILB Sam Barrington
• OLB Michael Mauti
• RB C.J. Spiller

What I Said About Them Before the Season

• I actually perfectly projected the Saints' record this season, predicting them to go 7-9 like they did last season.  I thought that the team's offense, specifically their passing attack, would guide their team to any success that they found.  That proved to be the truth because their defense was horrible once again, as I guessed they would be.

Success/Failure

• Failure - The Saints have had an amazing offense, led by future Hall-of-Famer Drew Brees at quarterback for years now.  Yet this talent, in addition to head coach Sean Payton, has only amounted to one Super Bowl and they have now missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.  The reason for this is pretty simple; their defense has been every bit as atrocious as the offense has been elite.  They were the second-worst scoring defense last season and dead last in the league in passing yards given up per game.  Their defense was actually pretty good against the rush but also struggled on the pass rush, ranking 27th in sacks.

Offseason Needs

• There have been rumors early this offseason that perhaps a team like the Rams or 49ers would trade for head coach Sean Payton, possibly because of how much the Saints have been struggling recently.  That hasn't happened thus far, but perhaps it still could.  Either way, 2017 could be the last year for the Saints with this talented of an offense as Drew Brees' contract can be voided after the season.  In this year's draft, they need to avoid going after offensive players and devote all of their picks to their mediocre defense.  They need a lot of help in the secondary and their linebacking corps is rough.  Mock drafts I have looked at have them taking linebacker Reuben Foster out of Alabama with the eleventh pick, but I think there is a chance that he won't be available when they pick.  If he is, drafting him would be smart because he is an NFL-ready prospect already and will help strengthen the middle of the defense.

*All stats and information come from espn.com, nfl.com, pro-football-reference.com, rosterresource.com, spotrac.com, overthecap.com, and cbssports.com