3 New Orleans Saints burning questions that need answered heading into 2024 NFL training camp
The New Orleans Saints have pressure on them in 2024. They've got to return to postseason play with one of the most veterans rosters in football. Ahead of training camp, a few storylines stand out for the black and gold. They've got to find some answers before real game action begins. 3 burning questions for […]
The New Orleans Saints have pressure on them in 2024. They've got to return to postseason play with one of the most veterans rosters in football.
Ahead of training camp, a few storylines stand out for the black and gold. They've got to find some answers before real game action begins.
3 burning questions for the Saints heading into 2024 NFL training camp
Will Chase Young be a "full go" to begin the regular season?
Young is recovering from offseason neck surgery. It was a procedure that the Saints knew about before giving him his one-year deal. Clearly, they are confident in him and his return to action. Young has been working hard to get back on the field.
Plus, he received a positive report from Dr. robert Watkins in mid-June. It seems like he's on schedule for the Saints' target return for him before the regular season.
New Orleans' pass rush needs him. They already lost one of their best pass rushers for significant time in Tanoh Kpassagnon. Young must step up and produce for the Saints to begin 2024.
Who will start the season at Tight End?
Juwan Johnson is currently dealing with an injury he suffered earlier in the offseason. Johnson underwent foot surgery and is reportedly expected to miss significant time. Enter: Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill, and others.
New Orleans will need at least one of them to step up at tight end in an offensive scheme that will want to use their TE more often than recent seasons most likely. Klint Kubiak's modern offense likes to get tight ends open in space and keep them in to block for the running game to give defenses multiple looks.
With Johnson out, they must prepare in case he cannot start the season. Look for rookie UDFA Dallin Holker to be a potential surprise contributor, too.
Will the offensive line be ready?
This is the biggest concern for the entire Saints team. They aren't expected to have Ryan Ramczyk this season due to his knee injury. If he can somehow play, that would relieve some pressure, but as of now, that seems unlikely.
Accordingly, the starting tackles are projected to be rookie Taliese Fuaga and the formerly-benched Trevor Penning. The hard-nosed, downhill scheme of Kubiak could help out Penning to develop, but he must prove that to the staff and fans. He has not done so when he's been available in his pro career so far.
Not to mention, the unit struggled mightily in the first half of 2023. Cesar Ruiz and Erik McCoy have to be more consistent inside for the Saints this season.
