NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

6 NFL teams that will make the playoffs in 2022 after missing last season

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL Playoffs 2022: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball during warm-up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
NFL Playoffs 2022: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball during warm-up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
NFL 2022
NFL 2022; Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the eleventh overall pick to the New Orleans Saints during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

New NFL playoff teams in 2022, no. 5: New Orleans Saints

I will admit — I was very skeptical, but New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis may have pulled off one of the great heists in NFL offseason history in 2022.

The Saints were nearly $75 million in the red against this year’s salary cap going into the offseason. Not only did they manage to get back in the green, but they currently have over $14 million in available space overall.

For those keeping score, that’s +$90 million, roughly, that the Saints have maneuvered to build their roster in 2022.

Incredibly, it hasn’t all just been to maintain, either.

The Saints made a trade to acquire two first-round picks, and instead of moving up for a QB with those picks, they moved up and got two impact starters in wide receiver Chris Olave as well as offensive tackle Trevor Penning.

Olave was a desperately needed secondary threat in the passing game to Michael Thomas, who is coming back from injury in 2022.

Defensively, the Saints really needed to add some help on the back end, and they did just that by bringing in Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye at the safety positions after letting Marcus Williams walk in free agency.

With the return of Thomas, the additions in the secondary, and an offensive line that includes four first-round picks and a second-round pick, I think Jameis Winston can lead this team back into the playoffs.

Home/NFL