The NFC South has been dominated by one team for the last three years. While the Saints haven’t had much success in the playoffs, they have won the division title each season convincingly. Could this be the year that somebody knocks them off and ends their run?
Let’s review what each team has been up to this offseason and rank them according to our projections for the 2020 season.
1. New Orleans Saints
2019 record: 13-3 (first place, lost to Vikings in wild card round)
Additions: S Malcolm Jenkins, WR Emmanuel Sanders, QB Jameis Winston
Losses: QB Teddy Bridgewater, LB A.J. Klein, WR Keith Kirkwood, S Vonn Bell, G Larry Warford
Draft picks: No. 24: Michigan OL Cesar Ruiz, No. 74: Wisconsin EDGE Zach Baun, No. 105: Dayton TE Adam Trautman, No. 240: Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens
2020 outlook: The Saints stayed on-brand this offseason by remaining in win-now mode, as they have been since Sean Payton’s arrival. As usual, they didn’t have many draft picks, but they got great value with Ruiz and Baun, who will reinforce both sides of the line of scrimmage. Bringing Jenkins back was a huge get, as was signing Sanders to finally give Michael Thomas a partner in crime. Adding Winston for QB depth at just $1.1 million might be the bargain of the year. Until somebody proves otherwise, this is still the team to beat. We’re predicting a 12-4 record and another division title for the Saints.