Which Saints are most likely to take a leap in 2024

With the New Orleans Saints having one of the oldest rosters in the league, the development of young players is crucial to the team’s future success. Either through the NFL Draft or free agency, New Orleans has added young and promising talent to the roster with the hope they can take the next step and be crucial pieces to the team’s future success.

Bryan Bresee

Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

The Saints have been seeking to improve at pass rush for some seasons and continued to struggle in that department in 2023. New Orleans has used the draft as their source for defensive linemen in the past and has failed to get production from their picks, but it appears the Saints have finally hit on a first-round lineman with their selection of Bryan Bresee in 2023. Bresee appeared in every game for New Orleans during his rookie season as a rotational piece racking up 4.5 sacks, 7 tackles for a loss, and 6 passes defended.

Bresee will likely be a full-time starter for the 2024 season and with one season of experience under his belt, he is in prime position to break out. The former Clemson defensive tackle mentions his technique as one of the better parts of his game showing appreciation to his teammates as helping him improve it even further. With a supporting cast of Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, and Carl Granderson to teach the talented interior linemen, Bresee can have an even better second season.

Paulson Adebo

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Cornerback Paulson Adebo had a promising rookie year in 2021 before a not-so-impressive season as a sophomore. Adebo would get back on track during the 2023 season exploding as the team’s clear number-two corner, beating out second-year cornerback Alontae Taylor, who had his own impressive rookie year the season prior. Adebo finished the season ranked as the 15th-best cornerback in the league per PFF’s rankings.

Adebo’s development is crucial to the Saints' future success. Veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore is returning to New Orleans for the 2024 season despite trade rumors throughout the offseason, but his future with the Saints may be coming to an end soon. New Orleans drafted cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round of the 2024 draft creating a crowded cornerback room of capable starters. If the Saints trust Adebo’s ability to be the team’s CB1, Lattimore could be on his way out.

Kendre Miller

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Saints went into the 2023 season with confidence about their rushing attack. Veteran running back Alvin Kamara was still top-10 at his position, newly signed Jamaal Williams was coming off a career year scoring 17 touchdowns, and rookie Kendre Miller was a player they liked throughout the draft process. The excitement for the team’s running ability would slowly dwindle over time as the offensive line and play calling came into question. Kamara finished the season as the leading rusher with just 696 yards. In second place was former quarterback Taysom Hill with 401 yards, almost 100 more than third place Jamaal Williams.

Rookie Kendre Miller missed significant time throughout the season with injuries, appearing in only eight games. The Former TCU running back finished the season with just 156 yards and 1 touchdown on 3.8 yards a carry. Miller didn't see much opportunity as a rookie, only carrying the ball 41 times. The young running back finally had the opportunity to show what he could do during the last game of the season versus the Atlanta Falcons where he rushed for 73 yards on 13 attempts earning a touchdown on the way.

Miller is likely to earn significantly more playing time with the addition of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Kubiak is coming from an offensive system that keeps runners fresh by utilizing the whole running back room.

A.T. Perry

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

All of New Orleans said a heartbreaking goodbye to former Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas who had been with the Saints since 2016. During the 2023 draft, New Orleans traded tight end Adam Trautman to the Denver Broncos to draft wide receiver A.T. Perry from Wake Forest. Perry fell in the draft due to some concerns over his character, originally being projected to be drafted as high as an early third rounder.

Perry saw the majority of his playtime after an injury to Thomas, who would get injured during a week 10 match-up with the Minnesota Vikings. Thomas would finish the season on the injured reserve list granting the 6’5 Perry the opportunity to prove himself. The young rookie would finish his final eight games with 12 receptions for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns, including a 2-touchdown game against the Falcons. With Thomas now out of the picture and New Orleans’ passing offense expected to get a big upgrade due to a new play caller, Perry could complete the Saints' wide receiver room.

Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel