Analysis
8/4/23
5 min read
New Orleans Saints 2023 Fantasy Football Team Preview
As we inch closer to opening day of the NFL season, we want to get you prepared for your fantasy football drafts. That process begins with our team previews, where we’ll break down each team’s offense while providing players we’re targeting and, in some cases, avoiding.
Saints Fantasy Football Team Preview
Head Coach: Dennis Allen (second season)
Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael (15th season)
Key Offensive Additions
- QB Derek Carr
- RB Jamaal Williams
- TE Foster Moreau
Key Offensive Departures
- QB Andy Dalton
- TE Adam Trautman
Key Offensive Rookies
- RB Kendre Miller - third-round draft pick
Points Per Game: 19.4 (22nd)
Passing Yards: 217.2 (16th)
Rushing Yards: 116.6 (19th)
Vacated Targets: 123 (19th)
Pass: 57 percent Run: 43 percent
Pace: 13th
OL Rank: sixth
Quarterbacks
Andy Dalton wasn’t the problem in New Orleans last year, but Derek Carr brings stability while raising the overall ceiling of the Saints' offense. Carr’s 15.8 fantasy points per game is 20th in the past two seasons. Carr brings limited rushing upside to the table, and he’s never been a consistent difference-maker in fantasy. That said, his new home comes with some advantages, including a solid supporting cast.
New Orleans has the easiest schedule in the league, which is a net positive for Carr and the major pieces in the Saints' offense. Ultimately, Carr is a matchups-based streaming option in most formats with greater than normal appeal in best ball due to the Saints' advantageous schedule.
Running Backs
We are still waiting to hear a concrete number of games Alvin Kamara will miss due to suspension, though four to six games appear to be the most likely outcome. His fantasy points dropped last season. He only scored four total touchdowns, but his usage was strong, with 15 carries and nearly four receptions per game.
Kamara has been suspended for three games. Read more about the decision here.
Kamara has at least 1,330 total yards in all six NFL seasons. He should once again lead this backfield after his suspension. He’s a borderline fantasy RB1 type when he suits up.
Behind him, free agent signee Jamaal Williams looks like the next man up. He’s the favorite to receive the high-value touches during Kamara’s suspension. Even before his career year in 2022, he had averaged 160 touches and 741 total yards in the five seasons prior. He should be startable in fantasy while Kamara is out and could remain flex-viable once he returns.
Kendre Miller was taken in Round 3 of the 2023 draft, and the TCU product is an explosive runner without an established pass-catching background. He should be in the mix throughout the season for early down work, and there’s a chance he usurps Williams for base work down the stretch. His career-high 117 receiving yards in a college season suggests Kamara will always out-pace him for any receiving work on third downs.
Optimistically, Miller can be some version of Rashaad Penny for this offense, breaking big play runs behind a top offensive line. Conversely, Miller may not see more than a couple of touches when Kamara and Williams are both healthy.
Because of the Saints’ league-easiest schedule, there may be added running back touches in the fourth quarter of many games, in addition to enhanced goal-line opportunities.
Wide Receivers, Tight Ends
Carr brings stability to the Saints' offense and pushes the ball down the field. On 15+ air-yard throws in 2021, he ranked second in yards only behind Matthew Stafford. On 15+ air-yard throws in 2022, he had top-10 rankings in completion rate, catchable rate and on-target percentage.
This bodes well for Chris Olave, who was fourth in the league in air yards last season despite running fewer than 500 routes. Olave has the potential to be a dark horse wide receiver and a strong contender for a top-5 finish. He will be a primary target in all of Jordan Vanek’s fantasy football leagues.
Michael Thomas has played 10 NFL games in the past three seasons. His return to health will elevate the Saints' offense. His presence should also help maintain a high passing rate, benefiting Olave's opportunities downfield and Carr’s ability to sustain drives.
Rashid Shaheed, AT Perry and Tre'Quan Smith are battling to be the third wide receiver option. Shaheed has the early lead in camp, and with his speed, Vanek expects him to run the highest percentage of routes among this trio. None of these players are targets, but Shaheed is a deep league stash.
None of the Saints’ tight ends are must-haves for fantasy football. We expect Juwan Johnson to be the leader of this group, but he’ll share time with Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill.
Overall, with Carr's stability at quarterback, Olave's potential as a top wide receiver and Thomas' return to health, the Saints' offense looks promising, making them an attractive choice for fantasy football enthusiasts.
Dynasty Buy
Ian Miller: Buy Kamara (RB33)
Kamara’s suspension is already factored into his price as RB33. Not to mention, his possible suspension would take place in the least important part of the fantasy season: the beginning. As one of four running backs to post a 16 percent or higher target share in 2022, Kamara is a massive buy.
Saints We’re Targeting or Avoiding in Fantasy Football
Josh Larky: Target Olave, Kamara.
Ryan Reynolds: Target Olave, Williams.
Jordan Vanek: Target Olave.
Other Fantasy Previews
NFC East: DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
NFC North: CHI | DET | GB | MIN
NFC West: SF | LAR | SEA | ARI
AFC East: BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
AFC North: BAL| CLE | CIN | PIT
AFC South: HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
Follow our Team on Twitter
Josh Larky: @JLarkyTweets
Ryan Reynolds: @RyanReynoldsNFL
Jordan Vanek: @JordanVanekDFS
Ian Miller: @Dynasty_IM
Our data is provided by Sports Info Solutions and our vacated targets figure is provided by Tru Media.
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