NFL coaching camp is sort of right here. The Saints start their program with rookies reporting on July 16 on the College of California in Irvine, whereas veterans be a part of per week afterward July 23.
Here is a have a look at three place battles that may very well be essentially the most heated.
Backup quarterback
Projected No. 2: Jake Haener
Participant to observe: Spencer Rattler
As Derek Carr gears up for his second season because the Saints’ beginning quarterback, intrigue begins with who will function his backup. Final season, Jameis Winston was second on the depth chart, however he signed with the Browns in free company.
Haener and Rattler are the highest two choices, and neither has thrown an NFL cross. Haener, a fourth-round decide (No. 127 general) of the 2023 NFL Draft, was suspended six video games final season after violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug coverage however was robust throughout the crew’s minicamp.
The previous Fresno State quarterback can be pushed by Rattler, a former five-star recruit out of highschool who performed at Oklahoma and South Carolina in faculty. Regardless of having a third-round draft grade by a number of specialists, together with The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Rattler fell to New Orleans within the fifth spherical of April’s draft.
A battle for a backup place is not at all times worthy of our consideration. However contemplating Carr was pressured to go away two video games final season as a result of damage, the competitors between Haener and Rattler may very well be extra consequential than most.
Proper deal with
Projected starter: Trevor Penning
Participant to observe: Landon Younger
Penning’s growth can be one of many largest storylines to observe in Saints camp. The No. 19 decide of the 2022 NFL Draft, Penning solely appeared in a single recreation as a rookie as a result of a preseason foot damage. He was benched after 5 video games in 2023 as a result of underperformance after starting the season because the beginning left deal with.
If Penning turns issues round, he may companion with 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga to fortify the surface of the Saints line. His major competitors for the beginning gig is Younger, who has been credited with permitting six sacks in restricted motion over the past two seasons.
Cornerback
Projected starters: Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo
Gamers to observe: Alontae Taylor, Kool-Assist McKinstry
Lattimore has solely performed in 50% of the Saints’ video games over the previous two seasons, however when wholesome, he is among the many greatest corners in soccer. Per Professional Soccer Focus knowledge, final season, quarterbacks accomplished 58.9% of their makes an attempt when concentrating on Lattimore and posted a below-average 77.9 passer score.
Coming into his fourth yr within the league, Adebo is the anticipated No. 2, and he is one of many extra underrated defensive backs within the league. He had 4 interceptions in 2023 and tied for the league lead in pressured incompletions (19), per PFF.
Taylor has been up-and-down by means of two seasons. He was picked on by quarterbacks final yr, focused a team-high 113 occasions and allowed 75 receptions, 836 yards, and 6 touchdowns. However he additionally had two interceptions, was credited with seven cross breakups and compelled 13 incompletions.
2024 second-round decide McKinstry allowed 19 receptions on 39 targets (48.7%) final season in faculty at Alabama. Per PFF, amongst 21 corners with at the very least 480 protection snaps in 2023, his pressured incompletion charge (26%) ranked the very best within the nation.
