ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Louis Riddick, Seth Walder, and Field Yates collaborated on a future NFL power rankings project forecasting each team’s chances of success over the next three years. And the New Orleans Saints are in a unique spot — Sean Payton isn’t at the helm anymore, but he left them with a lot to work with.
They’ve got the Saints at a crossroads. ESPN’s contributors ranked the Saints at No. 16 across the NFL, with high marks for their strong overall roster (with quarterbacks ranked separately), an impressive track record in the draft, and a forward-thinking front office. But that hinges on both the health and capability of Jameis Winston to lead the way at quarterback, as well as the growth Dennis Allen has made as a coach over the last decade on Payton’s staff.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick made that exact observation, writing:
