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Quarterback Derek Carr. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Best, worst offseason moves for the New Orleans Saints

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 4/12/23

Entering this offseason, New Orleans was without its first-round pick (10th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft that will take place April 27-29 and was on a downward spiral. Over the past four seasons, the Saints' record indicated a team on the decline: 13-3, 12-4, 9-8 and 7-10. But after the initial wave of free agency, New Orleans is now the favorite to win the lame NFC South in 2023, per Oddschecker. These best moves are part of the reason why.

BEST | Signing Derek Carr

When the offseason began, New Orleans was nearly $60 million over the salary cap and GM Mickey Loomis declared the organization had to "manage [the salary cap] back to the middle." Then he signed Carr to a four-year, $150 million contract and carved out $14.6 million in cap space.

Carr struggled last season in Las Vegas but proved in 2021 how valuable he can be. That season he threw for a career-high 4,804 yards and helped lead the Raiders to the postseason. He has a lot to prove this year. Carr admitted to being "a little hotter on the inside" during his introductory news conference in New Orleans after Las Vegas unceremoniously dumped him.

BEST | Signing Jamaal Williams

Williams should be a fan favorite in New Orleans by the end of the season. He was beloved as a member of the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, and his infectious personality feels like a perfect match in the Big Easy.

When he's not rushing for touchdowns (he led the league with 17 last season), he's catching Pokémon. In his first news conference with the organization, Williams spent time explaining his Eevee hat and his hesitancy at trying crawfish.

First presser and JW had to let 'em know pic.twitter.com/0PyVanbUdl
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 17, 2023

bro may need some help with crawfish. pic.twitter.com/wdqUhEtaYM
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 17, 2023

The fit is solid on the field, too. The Saints running back depth was poor to begin the offseason and Williams gives the team a physical back who can fill the void when Alvin Kamara isn't playing. Speaking of which, Kamara could face a suspension from the league depending on the outcome of his pending trial on battery charges in Las Vegas.

Williams had career highs in carries (262) and yards (1,066) last season for Detroit and could be a reason for the good times returning to New Orleans.

WORST | Coaching staff

The Saints' offseason additions are impressive, but they could be for naught if the coaching staff isn't up to the task. Head coach Dennis Allen is a proven commodity as a defensive coach but not as a head coach.

In four seasons with the Raiders and Saints, Allen has a 15-38 record. Loomis didn't rock the boat, banking on continuity to keep the team afloat. Maybe he should have rocked.

The changes that did occur were on defense, where the team was best last season. Former co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is the new DC for Atlanta while last year's other co-defensive coordinator, Kris Richard, reportedly left after wanting an opportunity to call defensive plays, something Allen did in 2022 and will continue to do in 2023.

WORST | Marcus Davenport departure

Davenport, who signed as a free agent with Minnesota, was a draft blunder by the Saints, who traded up in 2018 to select him over future NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Reckless draft trades seem to be standard practice in New Orleans.

Last year, Loomis traded what ended up being this year's 10th overall pick to Philadelphia for two first-round picks. WR Chris Olave helped soften the sting of that trade with a great rookie season, but the jury is out on offensive tackle Trevor Penning. Last year's trade could wind up being one Loomis wishes he could have back. The Davenport move already is.

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