Coming back from three consecutive disappointing postseason exits is not easy for any team. The 2020 New Orleans Saints will have to not push forward for a longer postseason push but to endure the identity of losing the heartbreaking games. New Orleans will go into the 2020 season reloaded and determined for a better outcome. They will have one of the most talented rosters in all of the NFL. Last season, they had 11 of their players get selected to the 2020 Pro Bowl. This was the second most out of all teams to only behind the Baltimore Ravens with 13 players.
There are several players that the Saints will be relying upon in the 2020 season to get them to win the NFC South. The Saints are looking to win the NFC South for the fourth season in a row. There will be a time during the season where the Saints will have to grind their way in this already difficult season. The Saints will have to rely on their key franchise players to lead them as they are in a win-now season. These players for the Saints are not only the most talented players but they have proven to be the most consistent and most reliable players on-and-off the field.
Faces of the 2020 New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees
Brees is entering his 20 seasons in the NFL with the last 15 with the Saints. He is regarded as one of the most productive and high-velocity passers and in the league. Last season, Brees became the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards accounted for (77,416) and passing touchdowns accounted for (547). Brees has shown that he still possesses the ability to pass the ball at a highly efficient and productive level. He was voted at #12 in the NFL as voted by the players in the league.
Last season, Brees threw for 2,979 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only four interceptions on 281 completions (out of 378 pass attempts). He will go into the 2020 season as the fourth top quarterback in the league and, by far, one of the oldest and most experienced, outside of Tom Brady. The Saints have relied on Brees to create one of the most elite passing offenses in the NFL for many seasons. Last season, New Orleans ranked seventh in the league in passing yards per game (165.2) and tied for third in points per game (28.6). His star wide receiver Michael Thomas has been the sole carrier of the receiver corps. With the Saints adding Emmanuel Sanders during free agency, this broadens the versatility of the passing offense.
Michael Thomas
New Orleans one of the best players in the league in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. From day one, Thomas was one of the most consistent and productive wide receivers for New Orleans. In his four seasons in the league, Thomas has caught 470 receptions for 5,512 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 306 first downs. Thomas has been selected to three Pro Bowls in each of the past three seasons. He also received NFL All-Pro recognition in each of the past two seasons. This past season, Thomas caught 149 receptions for 1,725 yards, nine touchdowns, and 91 first downs. Thomas ranks as the fifth-best player in the NFL as voted by the players in the league.
What makes Thomas one of the top receivers in the league is his reliability in catchability and his dynamic ability to play outside and slot receiver. Thomas has led the NFL in each of the past two seasons in receptions accounted for. From game to game, Thomas is able to display to beat his cornerback either in press coverage with his elusive route running, his breakout speed, or ability to contend for the catch. Thomas has well made up for some of the lack of options New Orleans had for a number two receiver. Even with Sanders for the Saints, Thomas can still be inserted in many different play formations. With a long-term contract, Thomas will continue to be the main contributing receiver after Brees departs.
Cameron Jordan
Cameron Jordan has been one of the underrated players in the NFL for many seasons. Within nine seasons in New Orleans, Jordan has been one of the most productive defenders the franchise has ever seen. In nine seasons, Jordan has never missed a game by playing in 144 regular-season games with 143 starts. In his career, Jordan has accounted for 463 total tackles, 312 solo tackles, 113 tackles for loss, 87 sacks, 168 quarterback hits, and 47 pass deflections. Jordan is currently second in the Saints’ franchise in sacks accounted for and first in tackle for loss. He was voted at #23 in the NFL as voted by the players in the league.
Jordan has accumulated 10 or more sacks in five of the last seven seasons as well as 13 or more tackles for loss in six of the seven seasons. Last season, Jordan accounted for 53 total tackles, 37 solo tackles, 15.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 25 quarterback hits. Jordan has been one of the most productive defensive playmakers throughout his career. He is also one of the most expressive defensive players for the Saints on-the-field as a leader. Jordan is also a leader off-the-field through press conferences and social media. Last season, the Saints’ defense ranked fourth in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (91.3). They also ranked third in sacks accounted for (51). Jordan will be the leader of the Saints’ talented and productive defense as he goes into his tenth season.
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