The New Orleans Saints are 2-2, and head coach Dennis Allen knows something must change if this team plans on recapturing their early-season magic. After blowing the doors off the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys to start the season, the Saints lost consecutive close games to the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. While New Orleans endured an absurd amount of bad luck during their Week 4 loss, Allen believes this team must add more weapons to compete with the league’s elite.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, the Saints head coach said that the offense is currently too top-heavy and needs more production from the depth players. Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara are among the best at their respective positions, Taysom Hill can do a little bit of everything, and Rashid Shaheed is a solid deep threat. However, outside of those four, New Orleans does not have a way to move the football. Perhaps someone like A.T. Perry will step up for the Saints, but chances are Dennis Allen will need to add talent from outside the organization.
We got to find some other guys that can make plays for us other than Alvin, Olave, Taysom. I thought Rashid did some good things from an offensive perspective.”
Dennis Allen: Saints Must Add More Weapons
Fortunately for Dennis Allen and the Saints, we’re approaching the part of the calendar where losing teams start selling their aging veterans for draft picks. While nobody is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, and New England Patriots should be willing to look toward the future and trade their older veterans. For example, Christian Kirk is a probable trade candidate with the Jaguars 0-4 and first-round pick Brian Thomas looking like the real deal. Diontae Johnson of the Panthers also fits the bill for similar reasons, although Carolina might not want to deal a player within the division.
While some receivers should be on the market, Dennis Allen and the Saints won’t be the only team looking for more help in the passing game. Aerial attacks have largely struggled in 2024, and contending organizations around the league will look for reliable playmakers to provide a spark down the stretch. While just about anyone could make a move for these veterans, the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens should be in the thick of most trade discussions.
Chiefs, Ravens Outbidding New Orleans
The Kansas City Chiefs are chasing history, trying to become the first team to win three Super Bowl titles in as many seasons. While they are 4-0, they won’t achieve this goal without some way to improve their passing attack. Marquise Brown is likely out for the season while former second-round pick Rashee Rice possibly suffered a serious injury of his own. This leaves an aging Travis Kelce and a promising yet undeveloped Xavier Worthy leading Kansas City’s passing attack. Patrick Mahomes is talented enough to get this team to the playoffs, but the Chiefs must outbid Dennis Allen and the Saints if they want to win yet another title.
The Baltimore Ravens, meanwhile, are winning games through the ageless Derrick Henry. The former Titan is averaging an absurd 6.0 yards per carry through four games, but this team must throw the ball eventually. First-round pick Zay Flowers is living up to his potential, but Rashod Bateman is not and tight end Mark Andrews isn’t seeing work in the passing game. With Andrews possibly past his prime, Baltimore could use a reliable second option for when they have to throw to keep up in games.
Main Photo: Dale Zanine – USA Today Sports
