Cornerback, O-line, and receiver needs dominate Saints offseason focus. Building around Shough hinges on fortifying these critical units.
The New Orleans Saints are officially in the offseason after a 6-11 season. The four wins in the final five games make the tone different than the average six-win season.
With the Saints now solidified at quarterback with rookie signal caller Tyler Shough, the focus shifts to how the team can build around him. One offseason preview simplified everything for the Saints.
Dan Pizzuta of "Yahoo Sports" listed New Orleans' needs for the upcoming season. He singled out cornerback, offensive line and receiver. Pizzuta discussed what the Saints could do to fortify the team this offseason.
"Rookie fourth-round draft pick Quincy Riley had some flashes on the outside, but Alontae Taylor will likely be gone and Kool-Aid McKinstry was in the bottom third of corners, along with Taylor, in adjusted yards allowed per coverage snap on the season.
Olave broke out as an All-Pro-caliber receiver without much else around him. The team sent Rashid Shaheed to Seattle at the trade deadline, indicating an Olave extension would be coming. From the trade deadline on, Olave had the fourth-highest target share in the league while he ranked 12th in yards per route run. Adding another outside receiver would give Shough another reliable option and take defensive attention away from Olave.
New Orleans’ tackles had ups and downs, but the development of Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga, the Saints’ two most recent first-round draft picks, is promising. Erik McCoy has been one of the league’s most talented centers, but has played seven games in each of the past two seasons. Luke Fortner stepped in to play well at center when McCoy was lost for the season. The Saints were 29th in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric and 22nd in run block win rate."
Offensive line and receiver might be more obvious needs than cornerback, but the Saints can stand to improve there as well. Some New Orleans fans would argue the team can upgrade at more positions than the above three, but it's certain building around Shough on offense could do the team plenty of favors.
Shough finished the season as a Rookie of the Year frontrunner. He did it without much help. Adding another receiver to Olave could make Shough a force with which to be reckoned.
The Saints have plenty of time to address their needs. Their cap isn't exactly flexible but the team is in a better place there than they have been in the recent past.
New Orleans has a chance to build something special this offseason. They will look to start the championship build now.