These players are sure to benefit your fantasy teams in 2024.
With the fantasy football season around the corner the age-old question of “Should I draft players from my favorite team?” presents itself. If you do not mind double rooting for your favorite players from your favorite team, here are the top New Orleans Saints players to target in your fantasy football drafts.
Alvin Kamara – RB2/Flex
2023 ranking – RB11
2024 projection – RB15
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Alvin Kamara had a down year in 2023 finishing with less than 1,200 yards from scrimmage while finding the endzone just six times. The Saints veteran running back missed four games, three due to a suspension, which was a big hit on his production. Despite these factors, Kamara still finished as RB11 on ESPN Fantasy due to his high volume of receptions (75) in the passing game.
The Saints revamped their offensive staff during the offseason highlighted by the addition of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Kubiak comes from the San Francisco 49ers, home to the most productive fantasy player in 2023, Christian McCaffery. McCaffery is widely considered the best running back in the league, but his production and efficiency became more lethal when he was added to the San Francisco offense. Kubiak hopes to copy the 49ers’ blueprint and bring the Shannahan offense to New Orleans creating more efficient and productive snaps for Kamara.
Chris Olave – WR1/2
2023 ranking – WR16
2024 projection – WR9
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
After a successful rookie campaign putting up over 1,000 receiving yards, Chris Olave had an even better sophomore season steadily improving in every stat. Olave finished as WR16 in ESPN Fantasy in 2023 and is expected to take on a bigger role in 2024 after New Orleans moved on from veteran wide receiver Michael Thomas in the offseason, making Olave the definitive WR1.
Olave appeared on NFL’s The Insiders in June emphasizing his eagerness to jump to the next level in year three stating he wants to “go from a good player to an elite player.” With a steady increase in stats, a new offensive coordinator calling the plays, and being Derek Carr’s go-to receiver, Olave has the chance to be a top-10 or better in 2024.
Saints D/ST1
2023 ranking – D/ST10
2024 projection – D/ST9
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The New Orleans defense has been a top unit in the league over the years and continued that streak last season finishing as a top-10 unit in fantasy. The Saints finished 2023 tied for fourth in forced turnovers and top-6 in points per game allowed. The New Orleans defense and special teams additionally scored three touchdowns on the season. With the defense not losing any big assets along with Dennis Allen’s elite defensive mind, the D/ST is sure to finish as a reliable unit again in 2024.
Rashid Shaheed – Flex
2023 ranking – WR44
2024 projection – WR53
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Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed’s role in the Saints’ offense continues to elevate and New Orleans isn’t eager to add to their receiver room. During the draft, the Saints selected wide receiver Bub Means from Pittsburgh in the fifth-round of this year’s NFL Draft while also signing multiple receivers in the offseason, but these additions don’t threaten Shaheed’s WR2 spot. The speedy receiver has impacted the offense since his first career touch and continues to earn a bigger role in the offense. In 2023, the speedster recorded 719 yards and 5 touchdowns leading him to finish the 2023 season as WR44 on ESPN Fantasy. But a new offense that promises to utilize Shaheed’s speed and versatility will likely boost his numbers and ranking.
Derek Carr – QB2
2023 ranking – QB16
2024 projection – QB29
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The Saints’ offense finally started to click toward the end of the 2023 season leading to the team winning four of their final five games. The biggest factor in the Saints’ turnaround is Derek Carr’s production. Carr finished the season throwing for 14 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions in his final five games. Former offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael started adding variety to the offense, which included implementing more motion pre-snap and utilizing Carr’s efficiency off of play action. The veteran quarterback’s too-little-too-late production led to him falling in the middle of the pack in terms of fantasy finishing the season ranked as QB16. Carr ended the season with 25 touchdown passes to 8 interceptions leading to a 97.7 passer rating, the third highest of his career.
With a season in the Saints offense under his belt, a revamped offensive staff ready to utilize Carr’s strengths, and a hopeful jump from good to elite from WR1 Chris Olave, Carr may be in for a big 2024 season.
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