Kevin Szafraniec explains why there will be a thin path to success for a rebuilding Saints’ roster in 2025, but their top fantasy assets still have a chance to deliver through quantity, if not by quality.
Since Drew Brees retired in 2021, the Saints have been perpetuating a rebuild, often at the expense of their salary cap via contract restructures and stopgap signings. To be clear, these behaviors were common long before Brees hung up his cleats, but without a clear leader on the offense, continuing to practice them became unnecessary.
Following the departure of Sean Payton in 2022, the writing on the wall was clearer than ever. Yet New Orleans trudged forward under Dennis Allen until things ultimately came to a head last season. This offseason, it appears as though the Saints finally accepted their fate. Following an overhaul of the coaching staff, the surprise retirement of Derek Carr mercifully allowed New Orleans to creep out of the salary cap hell they have found themselves operating in for the past decade.
Unfortunately for Saints fans, the organization’s reset does not excuse them from playing out their schedule this season. With more questions than answers on the roster, 2025 could end up being a season to forget in New Orleans. Still, the Saints’ roster is not completely devoid of talent, and while we can all agree that not all touches are good touches, someone has to carry the load in New Orleans. As the Saints head into the 2025 season, which areas of their offense offer fantasy managers an opportunity to mine for hidden value, and which players represent trap plays that we should be looking to avoid?
AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens: There Is No End in Sight for Lamar Jackson’s Fantasy Domination
- Cleveland Browns: There Are Gems to Be Found on Kevin Stefanski’s Offense If You Know Where to Look
- Cincinnati Bengals: Poor Real-Life Roster Construction Creates Elite Fantasy Pathways for the Bengals’ Stars
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers Grabs the Headlines, but his Teammates are the Real Fantasy Stars
AFC South
- Houston Texans: Why New Weapons and a New Scheme Will Lead to a C.J. Stroud Bounceback
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 2025 Represents Trevor Lawrence’s Best Chance Yet to Reach His Ceiling
- Tennessee Titans: Will an Abundance of Garbage Time Result in Tennessee’s Late-Round Skill-Position Players Returning Big-Time Fantasy Value?
- Indianapolis Colts: Sitting in QB Purgatory May Limit the Offense in 2025, but 2026 Could Bring an Epic Rebound
AFC East
- Miami Dolphins: Whose Fantasy Arrows Are Pointing Up on a Miami Offense Heading in the Opposite Direction?
- New York Jets: A Shift in Offensive Philosophy Could Result in Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis Forming the Best Backfield in the AFC
- New England Patriots: Drake Maye Still Finds Himself Surrounded by Lackluster Weapons, But He May Thrive Anyway
AFC West
- Denver Broncos: Bo Nix Is About to Join the Ranks of the NFL’s Elite QBs
- Los Angeles Chargers: Has Justin Herbert Forced Greg Roman to Rethink His Offensive Approach?
- Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty Could Emerge to Become the Top Players at Their Positions
NFC North
- Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy Finds Himself in the Middle of the Perfect Storm for Fantasy Production
- Green Bay Packers: Why the NFL’s Most Complete Roster Is Finally About to Get the Attention It Deserves
- Detroit Lions: Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Discounted ADP Has Him Poised to Be 2025’s Most Undervalued Superstar
NFC South
- Atlanta Falcons: Which Players Are Primed to Help Take the Atlanta Offense to the Next Level?
- Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young Is Finally Ready to Deliver on His College Potential
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Despite Yet Another New Offensive Coordinator, Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving Are Still Set Up to Deliver in 2025
NFC East
- Philadelphia Eagles: Why Small Changes Could Lead to Even Bigger Fantasy Scoring in 2025
- Dallas Cowboys: A New Offensive Direction Is Exactly What Dak Prescott Needs to Get Back on Track
- Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels’ Fantasy Ceiling Is Only Limited by the Aging Roster Around Him
NFC West
- San Francisco 49ers: Make Sure You Are Rostering the Next Wave of Stars in Kyle Shanahan’s Offense
- Arizona Cardinals: Why Kyler Murray Will Overcome His Doubters and Return to His Elite Ways
- Los Angeles Rams: History Is Getting Ready to Repeat Itself in L.A. as Puka Nacua Eyes 2025’s Overall WR1 Spot
- Seattle Seahawks: The Discount ADPs of Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet Make Them the Most Undervalued Backfield in Fantasy
The Bottom Finally Dropped Out in New Orleans
After two seasons of toiling in mediocrity following Payton’s departure from New Orleans, the wheels fell off for the Saints in 2024. Things started off well enough, with the Saints scoring over 40 points in each of their first two games on their way to a 2-0 record. Unfortunately, New Orleans went on to average only 16.5 points per game over the remainder of the season.
Following the Saints’ hot start, they went on to lose their next seven in a row, resulting in the firing of Allen. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi fared a little better, going 3-5 over the remainder of the season. However, the effort was not strong enough to earn Rizzi an extended audition.
