Wednesday, August 8, 2018

2018 Fantasy Football Projections: New Orleans Saints

In addition to viewing our 2018 Fantasy Football Projections by position, we will post our preseason projections per team.

Below you will find our 2018 fantasy football projections for the New Orleans Saints.

Quarterbacks

 

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDFLPoints
Drew Brees545389.7441528.111.433.626.91.71.2276.69
After throwing more than 625 pass attempts in each of the previous seven seasons, Brees threw it only 536 times for 4,334 yards and 23 touchdowns, both of which were lows of his 12 seasons in New Orleans. Even so, his 4,334 passing yards still ranked fourth in the NFL behind Tom Brady (4,577), Philip Rivers (4,515) and Matthew Stafford (4,446).

More Fantasy Football QB Resources:

Running Backs

 

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDFLPoints
Alvin Kamara192.61020.87.770.2666.92.90.8231.37
Due to efficiency (6.1 YPC and 10.2 Y/R) and 14 touchdowns (eight rushing, five receiving and one return), Kamara finished as a top-four fantasy back (RB3 in PPR) as a rookie. Even though that level of efficiency isn't sustainable, Kamara was slated for a larger workload even before Mark Ingram was suspended for four games. An increase to 250-plus touches (from 201) could mean that Kamara repeats as a top-five fantasy back, especially in PPR formats.
Mark Ingram181.4852.67.439.3277.10.81.9158.37
Even with rookie Alvin Kamara finishing as fantasy's RB4, Ingram set career highs in 2017 with 1,124 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, 58 receptions and 416 receiving yards. Playing full 16-game seasons in back-to-back years, Ingram has rushed for 1,000-plus yards and scored double-digit touchdowns in consecutive seasons. Although he'll miss the first four games due to a PED suspension, that creates more fantasy appeal (to a certain degree) as there is a discount for his strong production from Weeks 5 to 16, which matter much more than Weeks 1 to 4 when it's easier to find a suspension-replacement RB2.
Terrance West13.452.30.3213.60.10.18.79
Trey Edmunds11.652.20.300007.02
Zach Line412.40.22.816.80.305.92
Boston Scott3.113.30.13.730.30.10.15.36
Jonathan Williams5.824.10.11.811.70.104.78

More Fantasy Football RB Resources:

Wide Receivers

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDFLPoints
Michael Thomas94.81175.57.30000.8159.75
With 196 receptions for 2,382 yards and 14 touchdowns through two NFL seasons, Thomas has at least 92 catches and 1,137 yards each season. No player has more receptions through his first two NFL seasons than Thomas.
Cameron Meredith55.6728.44.40001.596.24
While he missed all of last season with a torn ACL, Meredith had 66 catches for 888 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games with the Bears in 2016. Even though he's the WR2/3 on the team behind Thomas, Meredith has some upside in a better offense with a much better quarterback.
Ted Ginn38.4556.83.85.4270.10.181.58
Finishing as a top-35 fantasy wide receiver, Ginn Jr. nearly set career highs with 53 receptions and 787 yards in his first season with the Saints. Given the team's acquisition of Meredith, duplicating last year's numbers seems unlikely as I expect Meredith to be the team's second-most productive wide receiver.
Tre'quan Smith5.685.10.40000.110.71
Tommylee Lewis4.652.90.20.93.600.47.85
Brandon Tate3.450.30.30000.16.63

More Fantasy Football WR Resources:

Tight Ends

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDFLPoints
Benjamin Watson50.7517.14.30000.177.31
Watson's last season (2015) in New Orleans was the best of his career from a fantasy perspective (TE8). Another 74/825/6 season on 110 targets (like 2015) is unlikely for the 37-year-old tight end, but there is a chance he turns into a fringe TE1/TE2 fantasy option in his return to the Saints.
Josh Hill10.690.10.8000111.81
Michael Hoomanawanui3.425.50.30000.14.15

More Fantasy Football TE Resources:
Keep track of our updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) LIKE us on Facebook and/or (3) add us to your Google+ circle.