Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 New Orleans Saints

AFC Previews
BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
DEN | KC | OAK | SD
NFC Previews
DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
CHI | DET | GB | MIN
ATL | CAR | NO | TB
ARI | LA | SF | SEA

New Orleans Saints

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Sean Payton
Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael
Defensive Coordinator: Dennis Allen

Key Additions

• TE Coby Fleener
• DT Sheldon Rankins (1st round)
• WR Michael Thomas (2nd round)
• DE Paul Kruger
• DT Nick Fairley
• LB James Laurinaitis
• LB Craig Robertson
• CB Cortland Finnegan
• S Roman Harper
• FB John Kuhn

Key Departures

• CB Brandon Browner
• TE Benjamin Watson
• CB Keenan Lewis
• LB Ramon Humber
• RB Khiry Robinson
• S Rafael Bush

Preseason Power Rankings - No. 21

The perpetually unstoppable offense got stronger this offseason, but that wasn't the problem in New Orleans. More ...

Projected Starting Lineup

*Rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is expected to miss the first six weeks of the season with a broken fibula

Questions to Answer

• How far can Drew Brees carry the team at age 37?
• Can the defense recover after allowing the most passing touchdowns in NFL history last season?
• Are there enough pieces in place to make another Super Bowl run with Brees before its too late?

Best-case Scenario

Brees continues at his 5,000-yards-per-season pace and finds the room to mix in enough Mark Ingram carries that defenses can't sell out to stop the pass. Trimming the big names of Rob Ryan and Brandon Browner gives the defense a new identity and, without high expectations, the unit churns out some big plays. The combination of Brees and Payton provides the Saints an outside chance to win against any opponent, with the potential for a 12-4 season, a division win, and an NFC championship appearance in 2016 if things fall their way.

Worst-case Scenario

Even the worst-case scenario probably isn't as bad as last season. After a truly embarrassing defensive performance, the Saints still managed to collect seven wins. With the additional weapons in Brees' arsenal this season and an overhaul to the defensive lineup, it's tough to imagine the team regressing. Brees has never lost more than nine games in his time with the Saints, and while he's getting up there in age, he hasn't shown enough signs of slowing down to expect a decline.