The New Orleans Saints
Going into last season, the New Orleans Saints were tabbed as the favorites to win the NFC South, but they fell just short of that goal, finishing 9-8 and narrowly missing out on the division title and a playoff spot.
One of their cornerstones going back to the last few years of the Drew Brees era has been cornerback Marshon Lattimore, but there has been speculation that they would look to trade him at some point this offseason.
However, per ProFootballTalk, they’re “not actively trying to trade” the 27-year-old.
Lattimore, the No. 11 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has been named to the Pro Bowl four times, and while his production has declined over the last two years, partly due to injury, he has remained a major part of New Orleans’ defense.
In 10 games last year, he had eight passes defended and one interception, as well as 48 tackles (39 solo) before an ankle injury in Week 10 prematurely ended his season.
New Orleans did add a big piece this offseason when they signed defensive end Chase Young to a one-year contract worth $13 million.
While some have seen Young as a big disappointment, especially since he hasn’t duplicated his success as a rookie when he made the Pro Bowl, he has always had plenty of potential, and he recently turned just 25 years of age.
There still seems to be a window for the Saints to win their division this coming season, especially since the Atlanta Falcons signed 35-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is coming off a torn Achilles, and Lattimore will have to be a big part of that chase.