NFL

Depth Charts, Rosters, and Predictions

Published

11 months ago

May 29, 2023

darragh

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The New Orleans Saints are favorites to win their division, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, and the major decisions they’ve made to secure themselves ahead of their division rivals are a big part of it.

Still, the Saints may have gained only slightly more than they lost. They could be contenders for a favorable playoff position, but they could just as easily see the bottom fall out.

In a weak NFC South, the Saints are the only team that knows that they’ve made an upgrade at quarterback and have an opportunity to take the division. That said, it’s difficult to predict how they’ll do because there are so many unknowns on their roster.

Nevertheless, one imagines that their bold move to secure a quarterback and the hope for a healthier roster should mean an improved outcome. If Pete Carmichael really is the heir to Sean Payton as an offensive mind, and Dennis Allen and Joe Woods can keep the defense consistent, then they should have an inside track to the playoffs.

Saints Roster Changes

The Saints experimented a bit at QB over the past two seasons but have functionally decided to end the Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston projects in favor of a proven veteran.

MORE: FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades

There was some buzz about potentially pursuing Lamar Jackson or finding some means of trading up in the draft, but, ultimately, it was pretty clear that they wouldn’t explore either of those options seriously, given the nature of the free agency market. Derek Carr may not be their “quarterback of the future” in a long-term sense, but he will be their quarterback for now, and that might just be enough.

Players Signed/Claimed
- QB Derek Carr
- WR Bryan Edwards
- RB Jamaal Williams
- TE Foster Moreau
- TE Miller Forristall
- G Koda Martin
- OT Storm Norton
- DT Khalen Saunders
- DT Nathan Shepherd
- DT Malcolm Roach
- LB Ryan Connelly
- CB Troy Pride
- CB Lonnie Johnson Jr.
- CB Ugo Amadi
- S Jonathan Abram
- K Alex Quevedo
Players Drafted
- DT Bryan Bresee
- ED Isaiah Foskey
- RB Kendre Miller
- OT Nick Saldiveri
- QB Jake Haener
- S Jordan Howden
- WR A.T. Perry
Players Cut/Released
- QB Lake Luton
- RB Derrick Gore
- WR Sy Barnett
- CB Vincent Gray
Players Traded Away
Players With Expired Contracts
- QB Andy Dalton
- WR Jarvis Landry
- WR Deonte Harty
- WR Marquez Callaway
- RB Mark Ingram
- RB David Johnson
- RB Dwayne Washington
- TE Nick Vannett
- OT Ethan Greenidge
- DT David Onyemata
- DT Shy Tuttle
- DT Albert Huggins
- ED Marcus Davenport
- ED Kentavius Street
- LB Kaden Elliss
- LB Chase Hansen
- CB P.J. Williams
- CB Chris Harris Jr.
- S Daniel Sorensen
- S Justin Evans

The Saints didn’t make many active moves to get rid of players but nevertheless found a way to resurface their offense by allowing three receivers, a running back, and their starting quarterback from last year to walk.

Their confidence in 2022 rookies Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed allowed them to maintain their skill corps, but with a potential upcoming suspension for Alvin Kamara, they will have to rely on an unknown, rookie Kendre Miller, to take on a big role alongside free agent running back Jamaal Williams.

On defense, the entire front, aside from Cameron Jordan, is gone, as are rotational players in the back seven, including linebacker Kaden Ellis and cornerback P.J. Williams. They’ll have to hope for a healthier secondary in 2023 and immediate dividends from first and second-round picks Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey.

New Orleans Saints Coaching Staff in 2023

Head Coach: Dennis Allen
- Assistant to the Head Coach: Mike Martinez
Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael
- Senior Offensive Assistant: Bob Bicknell
- Pass Game/Quarterbacks: Ronald Curry
- Running Backs: Joel Thomas
- Wide Receivers: Kodi Burns
- Offensive Line: Doug Marrone
- Offensive Line Assistant: Kevin Carberry
- Tight Ends: Clancy Barone
- Offensive Assistant: Jahri Evans
- Offensive Assistant: Kevin Petry
- Offensive Assistant: Jordan Traylor
- Offensive Assistant: D.J. Williams

Defensive Coordinator: Joe Woods
- Senior Defensive Assistant: Peter Giunta
- Linebackers: Michael Hodges
- Pass Rush: Brian Young
- Defensive Line: Todd Grantham
- Secondary: Marcus Robertson
- Defensive Assistant: Adam Gristick
- Defensive Assistant: Sterling Moore
Special Teams Coordinator: Darren Rizzi
- Assistant Special Teams: Phil Galiano

The Saints have had to change defensively as a result of Ryan Nielsen and Kris Richard’s attention in the hiring cycle as potential head coaches. Neither ended up taking a head-coaching job, but Nielsen moved on from being a co-defensive coordinator with Richards to being the sole coordinator of the defense in Atlanta.

Richard and the Saints parted ways soon after Nielsen took the Falcons job after an apparent difference in the way they viewed personnel and defense — untenable for a coach that was considered for a role elevation to defensive coordinator, given how much control head coach Allen has over the defense.

Instead, they hired Joe Woods to be the defensive coordinator, added Todd Grantham to take on defensive line duties in Nielsen’s stead, and Marcus Robertson to take over the secondary after parting ways with Richard and assistant secondary coach Cory Robinson.

MORE: Best NFL Offenses | Best NFL Defenses

Both Dan Roushar and Zach Strief took offensive line coaching jobs, with Roushar becoming the offensive line coach at Tulane and Strief becoming the offensive line coach in Denver, leaving New Orleans in need of a tight ends coach and more offensive assistants.

They hired longtime tight ends coach Clancy Barone for that role and added a slew of offensive assistants, including a number of former players in the mold of Strief, like Jahri Evans.

Predicting the New Orleans Saints Depth Chart

QB: Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, Jake Haener
WR: Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, Rashid Shaheed, AT Perry, Tre’Quan Smith, Bryan Edwards
RB: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Kendre Miller
FB: Adam Prentice
TE: Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill
LT: Trevor Penning, James Hurst
LG: Andrus Peat, Calvin Throckmorton
C: Erik McCoy
RG: Cesar Ruiz
RT: Ryan Ramczyk, Nick Saldiveri, Storm Norton
EDGE: Cameron Jordan, Tanoh Kpassagnon
NT: Nathan Shepherd, Khalen Saunders
DT: Bryan Bresee, Malcolm Roach
EDGE: Isaiah Foskey, Carl Granderson, Payton Turner
MLB: Demario Davis, D’Marco Jackson
WLB: Pete Werner, Ryan Connelly
SLB: Zack Baun
RCB: Marshon Lattimore, Isaac Yiadom
LCB: Paulson Adebo, Troy Pride
NB: Bradley Roby, Lonnie Johnson
SS: Tyrann Mathieu, Jonathan Abram
FS: Marcus Maye, Jordan Howden

2022 Results and Standings

The Saints had uncertain expectations entering 2022, though they were expected to post an even record in the preseason, according to the August win totals at DraftKings. They mildly underperformed those expectations despite a top-10 defensive performance, with just a 7-10 record.

MORE: New Orleans Saints 2023 Schedule

A late-season rally after their bye week could have put them in the playoffs, but they needed losses from division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a win against the Carolina Panthers, coached by interim coach Steve Wilks and quarterbacked by a surprisingly efficient Sam Darnold. That Week 18 loss and the Buccaneers’ relative success kept them out despite the underwhelming division.

New Orleans’ Week 17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles and Week 5 win against the Seattle Seahawks showed that they could win against good teams, but they primarily built their record against a weak schedule, something they may benefit from again in 2023.

2023 Power Ranking and Season Outlook

Pro Football Network’s 2023 Power Rankings rank the Saints 14th overall in the NFL, which is roughly in line with their record and overall performance from an advanced stats perspective last year. There’s praise for a more well-rounded defense and optimism about the potential for a healthy Michael Thomas, who should pair well with Carr’s playstyle.

The offense will benefit from an upgrade at quarterback and could have an explosive ceiling if Thomas is healthy, given how well Olave takes the top off defenses.

Further development for Shaheed and a solid running game with Williams, Miller, and Kamara should give them a floor to work with, though they need to make sure that their offensive line can be consistent — that’s difficult with Trevor Penning, Andrus Peat, and Cesar Ruiz on the line.

Defensively, they will need their early-round investments to pay off immediately, given the losses on the defensive line. Though Marcus Davenport didn’t produce in the box score, his high pass-rush win rate forced opposing quarterbacks to get rid of the ball quicker.

He was one of the only defensive producers, and the Saints finished 2022 ranked last in pass-rush win rate as a unit, and their second-best pass-rush contributor, Onyemata, left for the Falcons. They may have gotten worse if they can’t rely on their rookies to contribute.

But a healthy Marcus Lattimore should mean more defensive production, even if Paulson Adebo is a liability opposite Lattimore. The defense performed very well last year, but a change in coordinator and turnover in personnel might be worth some concern.

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NFL

Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.