NFL Power Rankings: Steelers rise and Texans fall flat in July
By Will Lomas
4. New Orleans Saints (finished 3)
What I said at the end of last season:
"Drew Brees is unreal and he is playing at an incredibly high level right now. Not only that, but Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara are getting hot around him which can only mean trouble for opposing defenses. As if the incredible precision of Brees and the explosiveness of those play makers wasn’t enough, the Saints defense is led by Cameron Jordan who is having a career year. With those huge names playing better than nearly anyone else in the league at their positions, it is going to be hard to argue a team that has more players whose ceiling is that high."
Looking back:
The next three teams have better odds, but this next tier is where the real contenders for the next Super Bowl ring really start to stand out.
If this locker room can bond together, I don’t really know why this isn’t the most complete team in the NFL. Their offensive line is much better than the Indianapolis Colts who get all the attention because they spent a top-10 pick on a guard.
They had the most productive quarterback and wide receiver tandem in the NFL last season, and at running back they are balanced and have a lot of upside if Alvin Kamara can stay healthy.
Defensively they have one of the best pass rush unit (EDGE/DL/DB) in the NFL, and their linebackers are good enough where you can’t negate the rest of the defense by attacking those guys.
Just an incredibly well put together roster.