The New Orleans Saints' roster is aging, and their salary cap is bloated. Do you think a full-scale roster overhaul is needed this offseason to start the rebuilding process?
Our coverage team sat down to answer this question, among others. Here's what we say:
Luke Johnson: Look at the teams who have tried to tear their rosters down to the studs in order to find long-term success, and tell me who has actually accomplished what they set out for. Maybe the only answer is the Bengals, and they were lucky enough to be so awful in a year Joe Burrow was available at No. 1. The better NFL franchises have managed to avoid a complete rebuild. If the Saints can find a quarterback — a big “if,” but possible — they don’t have to blow up the entire thing.
Terrin Waack: If Dennis Allen does stick around for another season, then yes. The Saints are clinging on to who they used to be, and it is not working. The players who are thriving the most are rather young. Chris Olave, a rookie, is the leading receiver (887 yards), and the Saints rank 11th in yards passing (3,041). Veteran running back Alvin Kamara is the leading rusher (550), and the Saints rank 22nd in yards rushing (1,424). Defensively, Demario Davis leads in total tackles (81), but fellow linebacker Pete Werner is right behind him (74) with four fewer games because of injury. Davis is in his 11th season; Werner is only in his second. Allen needs to make the team his, personnel included.
Rod Walker: No need for an overhaul. There is young talent on the O-line, at receiver, linebacker, tight end and cornerback. If they are giving up on (Jameis) Winston, finding a quarterback has to be priority No. 1. After that, No. 2 is finding some depth at running back. Despite the dismal record, the roster isn’t bad, and an overhaul isn’t necessary.
Jeff Duncan: The Saints don’t need to blow it up, but a major shake-up is needed. As Rod said, there are some good young players on the roster to build around but this team, as a whole, needs to get younger and hungrier. I also expect changes to occur on the coaching staff that are needed. Maintaining the status quo didn’t work this season. Time to make changes.