New Orleans Saints 2020 Fantasy Football Preview

The New Orleans Saints have a dazzling array of weapons on offense, which may give fantasy football owners confidence before training camp.

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The New Orleans Saints offense is always reliable for a high scoring output in fantasy football, especially in recent years with so many touches funneled towards pass-catchers like wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara. With veteran tight end Jared Cook entering his second year working with quarterback Drew Brees and free agent wideout Emmanuel Sanders added to the mix, the Saints are looking kind of scary on offense.

And that’s before you even get into the probable-upgrade of first-round draft choice Cesar Ruiz, who should add youth and athleticism to the offensive line after right guard Larry Warford’s departure. That’s great news for Kamara and No. 2 runner Latavius Murray.

This content appears in print in USA Today’s Sports Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Preview.

What’s new

The biggest addition of the offseason is Emmanuel Sanders, a Pro Bowler and experienced wideout with more hides on the wall than anyone the Saints have trotted out across from Michael Thomas since Brandin Cooks was in town. Sanders’ veteran savvy and playmaking ability should create opportunities for everyone around him while relieving the pressure on Thomas to catch a dozen passes or so each week. 

Additionally, there is hope for a big bounce back for Alvin Kamara, particularly as a runner. The Saints invested in their offensive line by drafting Cesar Ruiz out of Michigan in the first round, which should go a long way toward plugging holes in an already strong area of their offense. He should run into the end zone more than five times with better blocking up front.

Camp battles

Fantasy owners shouldn’t anticipate much movement at the top of the Saints depth chart, but there’s room for competition throughout the roster, particularly at wide receiver. 

Tre’Quan Smith is far from entrenched as the team’s third wideout, and the team has brought in nearly a dozen options to push him for his job. He could be playing elsewhere if he can’t be any more than an occasional red-zone threat. 

Newcomers could make an impact at tight end — if rookie draft pick Adam Trautman can push Josh Hill for passing-down snaps — and maybe at running back, should Ty Montgomery prove to be more than a curiosity backing up Kamara.

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