Saints all over the board in latest power rankings heading into 2021 regular season

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Here we’ll look at NFL news outlets and their weekly Power Rankings to see where the New Orleans Saints stack up week-to-week. Here’s where the major outlets rank the Saints now that we’re ready for Week 1 of the 2021 regular season.

ESPN – #19 (-1)

People on the hot seat: QBs Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill

Both QBs have a great opportunity to inherit a playoff offense in the wake of Drew Brees’ retirement. And both have shown enough growth through three weeks of training camp to prove they deserve a legitimate shot at an NFL starting gig. But the runner-up in this battle will face a very uncertain future. Both are scheduled to be free agents after this season, and it’s hard to imagine either one of them will find an opportunity this good on the open market next year.

Pro Football Network – #13 (+2)

The Saints have been disrespected by some this offseason, but outside of the question at quarterback, it’s difficult to understand why. They struggle at cornerback opposite Marshon Lattimore, but Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Williams can help mitigate that issue.

Losing Michael Thomas to begin the season will be tough on the offense, but it’s likely to have a different look with Jameis Winston anyways. Nevertheless, Winston will have a chip on his shoulder against the Buccaneers twice this season.

Sporting News – #19 (+20)

The Saints will also try to operate with the running game-defense model in the first season in more than 15 years without Drew Brees. They will lean a lot on the line and Alvin Kamara and hope their defense isn’t headed to quick decline around Cameron Jordan. Sean Payton will do a good coaching job in the transition, but catching the Buccaneers and other NFC playoff teams will be difficult with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill.

NFL.com – #13 (-3)

The Saints might play their games in the Superdome, but it’s difficult to ignore those ominous storm clouds above. Michael Thomas reportedly ghosted the team all summer and angered Sean Payton with the timing of his ankle surgery, which is expected to keep him off the field into the season. Defensive tackle David Onyemata will begin the campaign on the suspension list after a positive PED test. Off-the-field issues have put the availability of cornerback Marshon Lattimore in doubt. Even the kicker has troubles: Wil Lutz will miss extended time after undergoing core muscle surgery. Add in the very uncertain nature of the quarterback position in the post-Drew Brees era, and it’s impossible to know what to make of this team right now.

Average Power Ranking Composite: #16 (+1)

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