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The Saints high-powered offense has led them to multiple playoff appearances and has helped them be an annual NFC title contender. Drew Brees has been the cool-headed triggerman carving up opponents with a deep receiving core. It is a safe bet that the Saints will again light up the scoreboard in 2014 making their fans and fantasy owners fat and happy.
Check out all of our 2014 fantasy football team outlooks here.
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New Orleans Saints Quarterback
When Brees announced that he would like to play into his mid 40’s, it signaled a feeling that there would be no regression in his game. The Saints offense will never be run heavy so it is on his shoulders to continually produce big passing numbers. If you look at his average production over the last 3 years owners can expect 5,200+ yards, 40+ TDs with only about one pick per contest. That is comforting consistency when deciding between an elite quarterback or bolstering your running game in the early rounds. In leagues with performance bonus points, Brees consistently earns bonuses on 300+ yard performances. He has surpassed the mark in 11 of 17 games and was close in several others.
Brees is part of the “Big 3” for fantasy quarterbacks along with Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers. I give Brees a slight edge over Rodgers for the second quarterback taken off the board. His draft position could range between late first round to mid-second round depending on your draft format, with him going in the 1st in 2 QB leagues and the second in standard leagues.
New Orleans Saints Running Backs
The Saints employ a three-headed monster on the ground. Leading the way is the savvy veteran Pierre Thomas. In PPR leagues, Thomas is valuable. Grabbing 77 balls from the running back position makes up for his limited rushes and scores on the ground.
Khiry Robinson's stock rose after his performance in the playoffs against the Seahawks. The Saints used him as their main ground weapon as he scrambled for nearly 60 yards and a TD. Is that a precursor for what is to come this year? Fantasy owners could find a nice bargain in 9-10th round.
Of the three backs, Mark Ingram possessed the most impressive college resume. As an elite back in Alabama, Ingram was looked at as a potential every down back. Instead he has yet to earn a clearly defined role. Look at him as a free agent/ late round option at best.
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New Orleans Saints Wide Receivers
With Jimmy Graham being Brees' primary option, the receiving core has hope that they are the chosen one on game day. Marques Colston has a long history with Brees and that translated into solid fantasy seasons of nearly 1,000 yards on 75 catches. Although he only grabbed 5 TDs last year, he was banged up and limited in weeks 5-8. Colston makes an excellent WR3 on your roster, and while his ADP is currently 81 we wouldn't discourage you from reaching a bit in round 7 for him
Colston will have plenty of competition for the ball with Kenny Stills breakout ability and Brandin Cooks potential. Stills averages 20 yards per catch and connected for 5 touchdowns. The speedy Cooks has that look of a potential star. Unfortunately, they all have to share the ball along with the running backs and that diminishes their value a bit. Cooks should be drafted ahead of Stills, but these guys may be living on scraps in most games.
New Orleans Saints Tight End
Jimmy Graham is the gold standard for tight ends in the NFL. Graham is the only tight end that will be consistently drafted in the first round in most leagues. In fact, don’t be surprised if he is one of the first pass catchers to go off of your fantasy board. With his huge dimensions, strength and athleticism Graham dominates the middle of the field and seem routes. While Gronk and Julius Thomas may provide comparable production, Graham’s experience and durability give him a significant edge.
New Orleans Saints Defense
Under Rob Ryan the Saints played defense with a swagger. This could be an under the radar defense because of the amount of pressure they put on opposing quarterbacks. Finishing 4th in the league with 49 sacks the Saints should have created more turnovers than their 2013 totals. This year with another year of Ryan at the helm, the Saints could be a very nice defense to match up against weak offenses.
