A breakout season in the NFL is a transformative period when a player significantly elevates their performance, often exceeding expectations and establishing themselves as key contributors to their team. For a player, it means solidifying a starting role, earning league-wide recognition, and securing a lucrative contract. Having multiple players experience breakout seasons for the team can lead to improved overall performance, enhanced team chemistry, and a greater chance of making a deep playoff run.
As the New Orleans Saints prepare for the 2024 season, the spotlight is on several promising talents. Among them, five players stand out as potential breakout stars. Remarkably, four of these five were rookies last season, and their development will be crucial to the Saints’ success in the upcoming year. This article delves into the potential of these five players
and how their emergence could impact the team’s fortunes.
5. Jordan Howden: Safety
In 2023, Jordan Howden played in 16 games, recording 44 tackles, 23 solo tackles, and one sack. He stepped in as the starting free safety when Marcus Maye was sidelined with injuries and performed admirably in Maye’s absence.
Last season, many observers noted Howden’s impressive play and speculated that it could spell the end of Marcus Maye’s tenure with the team. Indeed, when the season concluded, the Saints released Maye, placing their faith in Howden to take over the free safety role. The Saints have struggled to find consistent production at free safety since letting Marcus Williams go, who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens. Despite criticism for his infamous missed tackle in the “Minneapolis Miracle,” Williams was the top safety for the Saints, holding down the position from his draft day until his departure in 2021.
Hopefully, Howden can fill this void and have a solid year. There has been some chatter about the Saints possibly signing free agent Justin Simmons, formerly of the Denver Broncos. However, if Howden can build on his performance from last season, he represents a valuable asset on a rookie contract as a late-round draft pick. This could provide significant savings compared to the potentially high cost of signing Simmons, who likely won’t offer a hometown discount.
Ultimately, whether the Saints pursue Simmons will depend on negotiations over his value and benefit to the team. Meanwhile, Howden’s continued development will demonstrate the Saints’ confidence in him to excel at the free safety position.
4. A.T. Perry: Wide Receiver
A.T. Perry, a late-round draft pick from last year’s draft, showed promise in his rookie season. He played in 10 games, recording 12 receptions for 291 yards and four touchdowns on 25 targets. Saints fans need to understand that Perry is not a direct replacement for Michael Thomas; his style of play is distinctly different.
Perry’s game doesn’t mirror the physical, possession-based style that Michael Thomas exhibited during his peak. Instead, Perry brings his unique skill set to the table, which adds a different dimension to the Saints’ offense. Last season, as Perry received more opportunities, particularly after Thomas left the game against the Vikings due to injury, he demonstrated his potential value to the team.
With a new offense and Derek Carr as his quarterback, Perry has a solid foundation to build. The established chemistry between Perry and Carr will be crucial as they navigate the new offensive system. Perry has the potential for a breakout season, significantly improving his stats from last year. He could aim for 600 to 700 receiving yards, five to seven touchdowns, and around 50 receptions. Such a performance would mark a breakout season for A.T. Perry and significantly boost the Saints’ offensive capabilities.
3. Kendre Miller: Running Back
Last season, Kendre Miller played in eight games, amassing 41 carries for 156 rushing yards and one touchdown. Unfortunately, he was sidelined for a significant portion of the 2023 season due to injuries that had begun in college and continued into his NFL career. Despite these setbacks, Miller provided glimpses of his potential, especially in the season’s final game, where he showcased his abilities.
Miller’s playing style bears similarities to Alvin Kamara’s, particularly in his ability to catch passes out of the backfield and operate from the slot. In his college days with the TCU Horned Frogs, he highlighted his power and breakaway speed, which could translate well to the NFL. As he moves up the depth chart, Miller can potentially become the number two or three running back for the Saints.
Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Jordan Mims are ahead of him on the depth chart, but this could change during training camp. If Miller can stay healthy, he is poised to thrive in the Saints’ offense. This system, known for being running back-friendly, does not require a player to possess the elite skill set of Kamara or Christian McCaffrey to be productive.
We’ve seen running backs like Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert excel in schemes similar to those of the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers. These players, not considered all-purpose backs, still managed to put up impressive numbers. The Saints’ offense should be versatile enough to accommodate Miller’s unique skill set, allowing him to contribute significantly.
With uncertainty surrounding Alvin Kamara’s future, Miller’s role could become even more critical. Whether Kamara stays or goes, the Saints will likely lean on Miller to produce. I expect him to have a breakout season 2024, providing the team with much-needed depth and production in the backfield.
2. Bryan Bresee: Defensive Tackle
Next up is Bryan Bresee, the defensive tackle who was the Saints’ first-round pick in last year’s draft. In his rookie season, Bresee played in 17 games, recording 24 tackles and four and a half sacks. As the Saints head into the 2024 season, Bresee is set to be a crucial piece of the puzzle, particularly on an interior defensive line that appears thin.
The Saints need their players to step up, especially considering the limited impact made by free agents Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders last season. Bresee is their best talent among the current defensive tackles on the depth chart.
I anticipate Bresee making a significant leap this season, improving his performance against both the run and the pass. Given the current vulnerabilities in the Saints ‘ defensive line, his ability to rush the quarterback from the interior will be essential. There are questions about the unit’s effectiveness, especially compared to when the Saints’ interior line was formidable during the latter part of the Sean Payton and Drew Brees era.
Bresee will need to play a major role in regaining that level of dominance. While it’s premature to compare him to elite players like Aaron Donald or Chris Jones, Bresee has the potential to become a standout talent who excels against both the run and the pass. His proficiency in disrupting quarterbacks from the interior would elevate him to elite status and be a significant asset for the Saints’ defense.
1. Chris Olave: Wide Receiver
Number one on this list is Chris Olave. Heading into his third season with the Saints, Olave is poised to take the next step as the team’s primary option at wide receiver. With Michael Thomas no longer on the roster, Olave steps out of Thomas’ shadow and firmly becomes the number one receiver. Over his first two seasons, Olave has consistently demonstrated his talent, recording back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Last year, he played in 16 games, hauling 87 receptions for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns on 138 targets.
His trajectory indicates he is on the right path to stardom. The chemistry between him and quarterback Derek Carr will be crucial for Olave’s success. Last season, there were clear signs of a disconnect between the two, which hindered the team’s overall performance. However, this improved towards the end of the season, largely due to better protection for Carr from the offensive line.
With a new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, and, hopefully, improved line play, Olave is set up for a breakout season. I anticipate he will achieve 1,300 to 1,400 receiving yards, 8 to 9 touchdowns, and 90 to 100 receptions. This level of performance should earn him a well-deserved Pro Bowl bid. Olave can potentially be a special player for the Saints, and this season could solidify his status as a top-tier receiver in the NFL.
To sum up, four of the five players on this list were rookies last season. I expect these players to make significant impacts in the upcoming season. These are my five breakout players for the 2024 regular season.
Everyone loves Chris Olave touchdown highlights🙌#Saints pic.twitter.com/rmOtGCweKW
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 5, 2024
