New Orleans Saints: Ranking the team’s top 2018 offseason additions

There was definitely a theme when it came to the New Orleans Saints’ free agent signings. How do their five top pickups stack up?

After three straight 7-9 showings followed by a 0-2 start this past season, the New Orleans Saints came a long way in a short time. They would rally to win 11 of their final 14 games and go on to clinch the NFC South for the first time since 2011. Head coach Sean Payton made a change in offensive philosophy and it paid off in a big way.

There was no team more balanced on the offensive side of the ball than Sean Payton’s club. The Saints finished fifth in the NFL in both rushing and passing yardage per game. The club scored 23 touchdowns both on the ground and through the air. Led by the running back combination of Mark Ingram and rookie Alvin Kamara, the Saints’ defense benefited from the change in style as well.

Still, this is far from a perfect team and we have seen other clubs have strong years and then fade quickly. The Saints have a tried-and-true formula that could pave the way for a NFL championship. There are still some doubts on the defensive side of the ball but the club addressed some of these in free agency.

What’s interesting when it comes to the team’s offseason pickups is that three of these performers have played for the franchise in the not-so-distant past. So will their returns to the Big Easy make the Saints a viable Super Bowl contender? Let’s take a look at the club’s top signings this offseason.

Next: No. 5