The New Orleans Saints begin their preseason against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, August 10th, at 7:00 PM Central time. This will be the seventh time these two franchises have faced off in the preseason, and the Saints boast a 5-1 record. The Saints possess a seasoned roster, but they face significant concerns on the offensive front. How Klint Kubiak’s offense will perform will be determined by several factors. That being said, here are three positions to watch during the preseason.
Klint Kubiak’s Offensive Blueprint: Key Storylines For The Saints
Players to Watch on the Offensive Line
The Saints are gearing up for the 2024 preseason and facing significant uncertainties along the offensive line. New Orleans must address the left guard and right tackle positions before the preseason commences. Trevor Penning, a former first-round pick, is currently slated to start at right tackle. However, he’s transitioning from the left side, where he struggled in his first two seasons. The new offensive line coach, John Benton, must unleash the potential that made Penning the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The left guard position is wide open, with second-year pro Nick Saldiveri and free agent acquisition Lucas Patrick as the frontrunners. A groin injury kept Saldiveri out of training camp, but he is now healthy. Patrick is currently slated to start at left guard, but Saldiveri will challenge him with his athletic profile that matches Klint Kubiak’s offense.
Tight End Depth
Juwan Johnson is currently out while recovering from foot surgery. The hope is for him to be ready for week one against the Carolina Panthers. Taysom Hill is currently listed as the second tight end on the unofficial depth chart. Hill will play various roles, so expect Foster Moreau to start at tight end. Behind Hill and Moreau, the Saints have intriguing options in little-known Michael Jacobson and undrafted rookie Dallin Holker. Both of these young tight ends have a real chance to earn a spot on the final 53-man roster and establish a role in the offense. Jacobson is an imposing red-zone threat with his 6’7” frame. Holker is coming off a career year at Colorado State, so expect him to be a threat in the passing game. Despite Holker not possessing the ideal size for the position, he will make an impact in Klint Kubiak’s offense.
Backup Quarterback Competition
Derek Carr enters the 2024 season entrenched as the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Carr will be learning a new offense with much to prove this season. Kubiak’s offense is very quarterback-friendly, centered around the zone run scheme to maximize play-action passes. Carr will need to get off to a fast start this season, so playing snaps in the preseason will be crucial. Behind Carr, the Saints have two young gunslingers vying for the backup job. Jake Haener, the second-year pro out of Fresno State, is competing with 2024 5th-round rookie out of South Carolina Spencer Rattler. This battle will continue throughout the entirety of the preseason with both quarterbacks looking great through training camp. Haener versus Rattler will be the most intriguing storyline for the Saints; however, Haener will ultimately earn the role in Klint Kubiak’s offense.
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