The New Orleans Saints starting lineup is going to look different in 2023, and some players returning from the 2022 squad are going to be pushed down the depth chart. That’s not a bad thing for a 7-10 team, even if it means a reduced role for some fan-favorites on offense and defense.
Here’s a quick look at four areas that could see the most change over the summer (and no, we aren’t taking the low-hanging fruit by acknowledging Derek Carr is the unquestioned starter ahead of Jameis Winston):
Paulson Adebo
A lingering ankle injury sidelined Adebo at times last season and opened the door for Alontae Taylor to get on the field, and the rookie seemed to outplay him at every turn. With Marshon Lattimore recovered from his own injuries, Adebo and Taylor are poised to compete for the starting job across from him, and it shouldn’t shock anyone if Taylor ends up winning that battle. Having someone with as much experience as Adebo has had over his first two years coming off the bench would be really good for the secondary.
James Hurst
The Saints have to be hoping that Hurst doesn’t play much this season, because it would mean that Trevor Penning is healthy and ready to roll at left tackle. Hurst has been fine at that spot and rarely embarrassed himself against the league’s best pass rushers, but Penning’s athletic ability introduces a ton of upside Hurst just can’t match. He would do really well as the sixth man backing up both guard and tackle spots while getting on the field in uneven blocking sets, which was his role when Terron Armstead was entrenched at left tackle.
Blake Gillikin
Gillikin took a step back last year, and he’s going to need to show the Saints a lot to fend off one of college football’s better punters. Lou Hedley isn’t just a great story as a charismatic prospect coming out of Australia; he’s very good at what he does, and he should push Gillikin for this roster spot. When he’s been on top of his game, Gillikin has kicked as well as anyone around the league. He just needs to level out and perform at that level each week.
Alvin Kamara
Don’t overreact to this — when he’s healthy and available Kamara is going to be a focal point of the Saints offense both as a runner and receiver. But how often is that going to be the case? He’s missed two or three games with injuries in each of the last four years and, more importantly, he could be suspended for six weeks once his Las Vegas assault case is concluded. Reducing his role to plays in which he’s most effective could pay off in a big way even if he isn’t necessarily the starter each week.
Rookie draft pick Kendre Miller has already said he’s coming for Kamara’s starting job, and after the draft head coach Dennis Allen said of picking Miller and signing free agent Jamaal Williams: “Look, as much as anything, it’s just trying to take a little bit of that load off of Alvin. You know, him having to be a bell cow back for us really for the last couple years, I think in our league now, if you can spread those touches around, kind of spread those carries around, keep everyone healthy. Being a runner in this league for 17 games is a lot of pounding. So if you can spread those carries out a little bit, I think it keeps everybody fresh throughout the season a little bit more.”
