Free agency and the NFL draft are behind us, so teams’ rosters are mostly complete for 2024. That prompted Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine and Kris Knox to identify the biggest strength of every NFC team as organized team activities ensue around the league. Once the strength was identified, Knox followed up with the key returning players, the biggest addition to the unit and a player to track in OTAs.
The New Orleans Saints’ secondary was labeled as the strength of the team. This should come as no surprise. This was the clear strength of the Saints in 2023, and Marcus Maye’s departure isn’t enough to drop the unit significantly. Marshon Lattimore, Tyrann Mathieu and Paulson Adebo still make this unit a force to be reckoned with. Here’s more from Knox and Ballentine:
The secondary is arguably the only unit on the team that commands a high level of belief and confidence from the fan base, but New Orleans wasn’t satisfied with rolling over last year’s talent. The Saints bolstered the unit by drafting McKinstry in the second round. He could compete with Alontae Taylor for the starting slot cornerback role as a rookie, but he has a lot of versatility.
Knox also highlighted undrafted rookie Millard Bradford as a player to watch during OTAs. The safety out of TCU could provide depth at the position. Maye’s replacement has yet to be solidified. Making an impression this offseason and preseason could get Bradford closer to that conversation.
