The 2024 season was one that the New Orleans Saints were ready for it to be over. Despite seemingly losing a major player to injury every week of the season, the club ended the season with a 5-12 record, ranking worst in the NFC South. Hopefully, the franchise will be able to get past the catastrophe.
The Saints must take lessons from this season to ensure that they don’t have another one like this. The squad ought to have discovered which players require greater playing time. This season, a few players stood out and shown their necessity for more significant responsibilities going forward. Three of those players are shown here.
3. The Saints should use Kool-Aid McKinstry more.
Due to his success at the collegiate level with Alabama, Kool-Aid McKinstry created a lot of excitement after being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The enthusiasm was warranted, as McKinstry had an excellent debut campaign. Despite being targeted 62 times, he only allowed 34 receptions for 454 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games, nine of which he started.
The Saints must choose whether to re-sign Paulson Adebo now that Marshon Lattimore is out of town. Alontae Taylor should return to the slot corner and McKinstry should continue to be a starter even if they do.
2. The Saints should give Marquez Valdes-Scantling a larger role.
Although Marquez Valdes-Scantling deserves a role in general, he doesn’t necessarily deserve a larger one in New Orleans. After preserving the Saints’ wide receiver space after Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave were injured, he is scheduled to hit free agency this summer.
He grabbed 17 catches for 385 yards and four touchdowns in eight Saints games. Valdes-Scantling may be a useful wide receiver three for the club when Olave and Shaheed return the following season.
1. Spencer Rattler need to be considered for a more significant position with the Saints.
Although seasoned quarterback Derek Carr is expected to return for his third season in New Orleans, he shouldn’t be the surefire starter. Carr shouldn’t be allowed to start every game since the team has been subpar when he does.
However, Spencer Rattler has shown enough promise to be considered for a quarterback battle. Although he played with a diminished offense and still produced some spectacular plays, a lot can be said about his not winning any of the games he participated in. As a result, he deserves to strive for a larger job even though he doesn’t necessarily deserve one.
