Heading into the 2015 NFL regular season, the New Orleans Saints aren't expected to compete for a playoff spot in a very competitive NFC. They lost Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills this offseason, which is expected to make their offensive much weaker, and their defense simply isn't quite as good as they would like it to be either. There are five players in particular that can help them shock the NFL and get into the postseason.
Drew Brees is still in town, which gives the Saints the necessary leader for their offense. He is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, although he isn't going to have the type of weapons that he has had over the past few seasons.
Head coach, Sean Payton, is more than capable of getting the most out of his players each and every year. He may not have enough talent to shock the league and get into the playoffs, but if any coach could make that type of a run, it would be Payton. There aren't many coaches who can motivate their players to the level that Payton can, and he is extremely smart on both sides of the football.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, the Saints are going to be a team to keep an eye on. They certainly don't appear to have much of a chance to contend, but stranger things have happened in the NFL.
Which five players in particular must step up for the Saints throughout the 2015 season?
Mark Ingram, Running Back
Now that two of the Saints' best receivers are on different teams, the running backs will have to pick up some of the slack to help Brees out. Mark Ingram is likely going to be the starter ahead of C.J. Spiller, and he has to figure out a way to be a 1,000-yard running back this year. If he can be a consistent threat on the ground each and every week, it will open up the offense for the Saints.
Willie Snead, Wide Receiver
One of the two wide receivers that has to step up for the Saints this season is former Ball State star, Willie Snead. He has yet to show what kind of NFL talent he can have during the regular season, but is prepared to finally be given a chance with the Saints this year. Snead has looked impressive throughout preseason action, and Brees is in desperate need of his receivers stepping up to help him.
Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver
Cooks is the second of the two wide receivers that has to take a big step forward during the 2015 season. He was impressive as a rookie last year with the Saints and will have to be the number one receiver for New Orleans. That is a lot of pressure to put on a second-year player, but his speed and athleticism will help give him an advantage over the defensive backs that he goes up against.
Brandon Browner, Cornerback
Last season, the Saints desperately needed help at the cornerback position, and the signing of Browner is exactly what the doctor ordered for them. Browner is more than capable of being a number one corner, although he had some issues last season with the New England Patriots. If he can get back to the form that he showed during his Seattle year, the Saints could very well have gotten the steal of free agency.
Jairus Byrd, Safety
New Orleans went out and was aggressive in free agency last offseason, which netted them former Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd. He was a major bust during the 2014 season and is looking to rebound and prove that the Saints made the right decision by giving him the big contract that they did. If the Saints' defense wants to step up and be remotely good enough in the NFC, Byrd is going to have to get back to the hard-hitting playmaker that he was with the Bills.
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