New Orleans Saints Depth Chart
- NFC South
- Stadium
- Caesars Superdome
- Head Coach
- Dennis Allen
- Offensive Coordinator
- Pete Carmichael
- Defensive Coordinator
- Joe Woods
- Special Teams Coach
- Darren Rizzi
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
The New Orleans Saints signed quarterback Jake Luton to their 53-man roster from their practice squad on Tuesday. Luton's signing is a good indication that the team is preparing to be without starting quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) for the near future. Luton will serve as the team's backup QB while Jameis Winston runs the offense in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers relying on Carr should be making alternate plans at the quarterback position heading into this weekend.
The New Orleans Saints released wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (groin) from Injured Reserve on Tuesday, making him a free agent. Smith will have to prove he's past his groin injury before another team takes a chance on him as receiver depth. The 27-year-old former third-round pick by the Saints in 2018 out of Central Florida has yet to play in 2023 and had 19 receptions for 278 yards and a career-low one touchdown on 27 targets in 15 games (six starts) last year for New Orleans. Smith has 131 catches on 196 targets for 1,764 yards and 18 touchdowns in 66 games (35 starts) in five NFL seasons, all with the Saints.
The New Orleans Saints officially reinstated running back Alvin Kamara from suspension on Monday. The Saints will be getting Kamara back for his 2023 debut in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it's good timing with Jamaal Williams (hamstring) on Injured Reserve. Rookie Kendre Miller led the backfield in the Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers, carrying the ball nine times for just 34 yards while also catching his only target for no gain. The Saints could ease the 28-year-old Kamara back into the fold, but even if they do, he should have a pretty significant role in the backfield right away next to Miller and Tony Jones Jr.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas drew another nine targets in the Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Thomas has consistently drawn targets in the short field, catching six passes for 50 yards this week. Every week, he has had between eight and nine targets, five to seven receptions, and between 50-61 yards. Thomas has failed to find the end zone yet this season. He is a reliable flex option with a safe floor in PPR leagues, but has a limited ceiling.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave showed again that he is a WR1 this season, hauling in eight receptions on 11 targets for 104 yards. It was Olave's third straight double-digit target game. With quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) likely to miss some time, Olave's fantasy value should remain fairly similar with Jameis Winston under center. Winston supported multiple fantasy-relevant receivers during his time in Tampa Bay and the Saints' offensive scheme likely won't change at all if Carr does miss time. Keep utilizing Olave as a top-tier receiver.
