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Something Old, Something New

by ItsTheFazz | 4 years ago | 0 Comments

Unexpected. Unusual. Unforgettable.

 

There are many ways you could describe the 2025 offseason for the New Orleans Saints, but if you polled 100 fans, those are likely three of the most common words you'd hear. After inheriting the team post-GM resignation in week 15, GM Fazz has wasted no time in constructing his roster.

 

What made this offseason so unexpected, unusual, and unforgettable, then? Well, you can start first with how we got here in the first place. It's very uncommon for a GM to resign from a playoff bound, 11-3 roster in week 15, but that's the scenario the Saints found themselves in. Enter Fazz, a quick hire for a team that was expected to finish the season under an interim GM. Without opportunity to make any roster changes, the Saints rode out the rest of the season, finishing with a disappointing loss to the Washington Redskins.

 

Then the fireworks began.

 

Without a large amount of cap space, the Saints weren't expected to be major players in the UFA market. Fazz nixed those thoughts, immedeately creating some space and filling in holes on the roster. On day one of the UFA frenzy, the Saints agreed to terms with OL La'el Collins, CB Morgan Humphrey, and DL Jarrett Prince. Day two brought another signing on the DL, with the Saints adding 28 year old DT Jose Riles

 

Prince was the prize of the haul, a 26 year old edge rusher just blossoming with potential. "Jarret was no doubt underused at his last stop. He put some great tape on film and we're excited to add a weapon like him on our defense." stated head coach Griffin Murphy. Prince is expected to slot in at the left EDGE spot, replacing the departed Cameron Jordan.

 

La'el Collins will be a fixture on the OL, likely slotting in at the starting LG slot. Protection was a main focus for the Saints this offseason, as the team was also rumored to be in on negotiations with DJ Fluker. Morgan Humphrey is expected to join the secondary in the slot, and Riles should provide some run stuffing ability to the interior DL next to veteran Sheldon Rankins.

 

For most SMLP teams, that would be the end of a successful offseason. Not for Fazz.

 

Fazz began wheeling and dealing the day before the draft, flipping starting QB Drew Lock to the Jacksonville Jaguars for pick 10 in the second round. The move shocked the New Orleans fanbase and analysts around the league. Lock had just led the Saints to a 13-3 record, despite the disappointing playoff performance.

 

The moves wouldn't stop there, however. On a move early draft day morning, Fazz then flipped the Saints 1st, 2nd, and 4th round picks (pick 28 in each round) to Denver for the 16th overall pick. With that selection, Fazz revealed the reason for the plan- after a shocking fall, the Saints were able to select the top rated QB in the class, Rhett Hackett.

 

The 21 year old from Oklahoma State was the unquestioned #1 QB in the draft, and many analysts expected him to be off the board in the first five picks. Hackett posses an absolute rocket for an arm and displayed impressive accuracy all over the field in his time at college. Head coach Griffin Murphy described him as "a special player, one you dream of building your franchise around".

 

The rest of the draft went towards establishing depth, filling in help on the offensive and defensive lines with guard Kevin Bauer and edge rusher Jimmy Whitfield in the second and third rounds. Bauer, 22, is an impressive run blocker from Kansas State. His strength was one of the best in the class, and his college film is filled with impressive power blocking to open up the run game. His work in pass protection kept him out of the first round, but is expected to improve with time and proper coaching. Whitfield is a raw pass rusher from West Virgina, who mostly overpowered players in college. Adjusting to the extra strength of NFL offensive linemen will take time, but the Saints believe there is plenty of potential to be unlocked in him.

 

Rounds four, six, and seven brought WR De'Jon Wayne, a big bodied red zone receiver, FS Sheldon Morgan, and HB Brandon Colvin. Each of the three are expected to compete for spots on the opening day roster.

 

It was a wild ride this offseason, but one that Saints fans are sure to be excited to see unfold during the regular season.