New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints offense will once again be a powerhouse fantasy unit this season. Despite the loss of coach Sean Payton, Drew Brees and the Saints' skill position players should be able to keep up the high scoring pace of the past few seasons. The Saints' running game will be led by Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram, while Marques Colston, Jimmy Graham, Lance Moore, and Devery Henderson will all be key pieces in the high powered passing attack.
Drew Brees should be the second quarterback off fantasy draft boards this season, behind only Aaron Rodgers. The veteran quarterback threw for an NFL record 5476 yards last season, while adding 46 passing touchdowns. While Brees may not reach these numbers again this season, he is a fantasy stud and worthy of a first round pick in fantasy drafts. The former Super Bowl MVP has all the weapons necessary to remain a top three fantasy quarterback for the next few seasons. If you are targeting Drew Brees as your fantasy quarterback this season, be prepared to make him your first round pick.
Darren Sproles broke out last season, moving from a third down scat back, to one of the league's top playmaking running backs. The shifty running back totalled more than 1300 total yards and nine touchdowns, making him a top 20 fantasy running back. The Saints will look to get Sproles on the field as much as possible this season, making it likely that he finishes the season with similar numbers to the ones he put up in 2011. Fantasy owners should view Sproles as a good RB2, with even higher potential in point per reception leagues.
Mark Ingram will be in the mix for carries out of the Saints backfield this season. Coming off an injury plagued rookie season, Ingram had another knee surgery this off-season, and needs to be able to stay healthy before he can be a reliable fantasy starter. Another thing working against Ingram is the presence of Darren Sproles. Sproles is the Saints' big play running back. He will touch the ball anywhere between 10-15 times per game, thus further limiting Ingram's upside. Draft Ingram at your own risk this season.
Pierre Thomas will be in the mix for carries out of the Saints backfield in 2012. Thomas carried the ball 110 times in 2011, but will struggle to reach that number again this season (unless Mark Ingram is once again hit by the injury bug). Even if Ingram were to get hurt, Darren Sproles will still be in the way of Thomas becoming a major fantasy impact player. Fantasy owners in deep leagues should consider drafting Thomas in the later rounds of their fantasy draft.
Injury Status: Injured Reserve
Despite showing some promise during the 2011 season, Chris Ivory is not likely to be a major factor in the Saints backfield in 2012. Ivory is buried on the depth chart behind Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, and Pierre Thomas; unless he is traded to another team, Ivory would have to overcome too much to be worthy of a fantasy draft pick. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere when drafting a backup running back.
Marques Colston has been remarkably consistent since being drafted by the Saints, and should continue to put up excellent fantasy numbers going forward. The Saints wide receiver is a virtual lock for somewhere around 75 catches, 1050 yards, and 8 touchdowns (if he is able to stay healthy). The emergence of Jimmy Graham did not hurt Colston's numbers in 2011, and should not cut into his production in 2012. Fantasy owners can count on Colston being a high end WR2, with even greater potential in the Saints' high powered passing offense.
If Lance Moore can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a nice WR3 or Flex option for fantasy owners this season. The sure handed receiver is a solid slot receiver, having caught at least eight touchdowns in three of the past four seasons. Moore should be able to amass somewhere around 60 catches for 800 yards and eight touchdowns this season as the Saints' slot receiver. Fantasy owners could do much worse for a WR3.
Devery Henderson will look to take the place of Robert Meachem, who signed with the San Diego Chargers this off-season. The talented yet inconsistent wide receiver has been a disappointment during his career with the Saints, and unless he is able to put it all together, he is unlikely to make much of a fantasy impact. Henderson also will face competition from rookie Nick Toon for playing time, making it even more unlikely that he will be worthy of a fantasy roster spot this season.
Jimmy Graham is an absolute stud at the tight end position, and should be one of the first two tight ends off the board in fantasy drafts. The former college basketball player greatly surpassed his sleeper status last season, catching 99 passes for 1310 yards and 11 touchdowns. Graham is pretty much uncoverable in the red zone, and will put up double digit touchdowns again this season. Fantasy owners should be prepared to spend an early draft pick on the Saints tight end.
Garrett Hartley should be the Saints starting Kicker in 2012. The young kicker missed the entire 2011 season, but is fully expected to get his job back this season. Hartley plays on one of the highest scoring teams in the league, making him a good option in fantasy leagues. He should be one of the first Kickers off the board in fantasy drafts.
The New Orleans Saints defense is not worthy of a fantasy draft pick this season. The Saints give up a ton of points on defense every year, and this year should be no different. Fantasy owners can leave the Saints defense on their waiver wire and only pick them up if you are desperate for a bye week fill-in.
