As long as Drew Brees is under center, the Saints continue to be among the league's most reliable Fantasy offenses. With Mark Ingram in Baltimore, Alvin Kamara will now lead a backfield split with Latavius Murray, while Michael Thomas will continue to be the focal point of a passing attack that also features intriguing sophomore Tre'Quan Smith, free agent acquisition Jared Cook and Ted Ginn.
2018 Review
Record: 13-3 (1st in NFL)
PPG: 31.5 (3)
YPG: 379.2 (8)
Pass YPG: 252.6 (12)
Rush YPG: 126.6 (7)
PAPG: 32.4 (23)
RAPG: 29.4 (5)
2018 Fantasy finishes
QB: Drew Brees -- QB8
RB: Alvin Kamara -- RB4; Mark Ingram* -- RB32
WR: Michael Thomas -- WR6; Tre'Quan Smith -- WR73
TE: Ben Watson* -- TE21
*No longer with team
Number to know: 519
That's the number of passes the Saints threw in 2018. It's the lowest total since Drew Brees joined the team in 2006.
2019 Offseason
"Thunder and lightning. Look around the league. You have that running back room that typically brings different skill sets and you are able to mix and match. I think our offense is proven that we do a lot of things with two backs in the game. It just gives us a lot of flexibility and gives a lot for the defense to have to worry about and game plan for." - Drew Brees, on Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray
Head Coach: Sean Payton (13th year)
Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael (11th year)
Draft Picks
2. (48) Erik McCoy, C
6. (177) Saquan Hampton, S
7. (231) Alizé Mack, TE
7. (244) Kaden Elliss, LB
Additions
RB Latavius Murray, TE Jared Cook, OL Nick Easton, DL Malcolm Brown, DL Mario Edwards, DB Marcus Sherels
Key Departures
RB Mark Ingram, TE Benjamin Watson, C Max Unger, G Jermon Bushrod, DE Alex Okafor
Rankings and Projections
| Player |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Brees | QB10 | QB8 | QB14 |
| Alvin Kamara | RB3 | RB1 | RB3 |
| Latavius Murray | RB42 | RB38 | RB41 |
| Michael Thomas | WR4 | WR5 | WR4 |
| Jared Cook | TE8 | TE7 | TE10 |
| Wil Lutz | K5 | K3 | K4 |
| Saints DST | DST7 | DST7 | DST8 |
| Heath Cummings' projected offensive stats | |
| 4,222 YD, 30 TD, 9 INT | |
| 229 ATT, 1,167 YD, 11 TD; 82 REC, 782 YD, 4 TD | |
| 187 ATT, 803 YD, 7 TD; 21 REC, 150 YD | |
| 148 TAR, 114 REC, 1,343 YD, 9 TD | |
| 53 TAR, 33 REC, 509 YD, 4 TD | |
| 63 TAR, 37 REC, 485 YD, 4 TD | |
| 79 TAR, 51 REC, 669 YD, 5 TD | |
Biggest question
Is Jared Cook a trustworthy tight end?
"Part of the reason for Cook's 10th-year breakout was because he was pushed into the Raiders' biggest receiving role. That won't happen in New Orleans, but Cook's size/speed combination gives him a shot at 100 targets from Drew Brees. Say what you will about him, but Cook showed you what he could do with 100 targets last year. The upside makes him worth the Round 7-8 gamble." -- Dave Richard
One sleeper, one breakout and one bust
Sleeper: Ted Ginn
The truth is that this offense will be so centered around the running backs and Michael Thomas that there isn't a sleeper with big upside, but Ted Ginn is probably being overlooked. Yes, Tre'Quan Smith has more upside, but Ginn had at least six targets in every game he started and finished last year. He's not being treated like the No. 2 receiver in the offense but that may still be the reality.
Breakout: Tre'Quan Smith
Tre'Quan Smith definitely has the most upside of all the receivers behind Thomas. Last year he showed an ability to get behind the defense and twice topped 100 yards with a score. It will be tough for him to develop into a reliable Fantasy starter with the volume available in New Orleans, but he could be an excellent best-ball option.
Bust: Drew Brees
Drew Brees didn't show any signs of slowing down in 2018 when you look at his efficiency, but you can't expect that type of efficiency again this year. His 6.5% touchdown rate was more than a full point over his career average and his 8.2 Y/A was a half yard higher. If the volume stays low, Brees will struggle to be a Fantasy starter.
So which sleepers should you snatch in your draft? And which RB2 can you wait on until late? Visit SportsLine now to get Fantasy Football cheat sheets from the model that called Andrew Luck's huge season, and find out.
