The Saints will miss wide receiver Brandin Cooks in this season, but the addition of Ted Ginn could help to soften the blow somewhat, Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune argues. While Michael Thomas and Willie Snead draw the bulk of attention from opposing defenses, Ginn might be able to fly under the radar and make big plays with his blazing speed. Of course, the 32-year-old Ginn is not the same kind of talent as the 23-year-old Cooks. However, he can be dangerous in one-on-one scenarios and quarterback Drew Brees knows how to take advantage of those situations.
Over the past two seasons, Cooks averaged 81 receptions for 1,155 yards and more than eight touchdowns. Ginn can’t equal that production alone, but New Orleans will need every bit they can get out of their wide receivers now that the young star is in New England.
Here’s more from the NFC South:
- The Falcons spent $28.5MM to revamp the defensive line with the hope that Vic Beasley can built on his breakthrough season, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. Beasley will be a focal point of opposing game plans after racking up 15.5 sacks in 2016, but the additions of Dontari Poe (one-year, $8MM deal), defensive end Jack Crawford (three years, $10.3MM) plus first round pick Takkarist McKinley (four years, $10.2MM) should help alleviate some of the pressure on the outside linebacker. The early word on Crawford is particularly promising. “Jack is a relentless in his pursuit,” defensive line coach Bryant Young said. “He’s a very hard, tough and competitive individual. I just really love that about him.”
- More from Ledbetter, who also profiled the Falcons‘ offensive line. He writes that the Falcons still must find a backup swing tackle to replace veteran Tom Compton after he joined the Bears in free agency. Recently, we ran down the best available starting tackles, including bigger names like Ryan Clady and Austin Pasztor. Both of those guys are probably looking for full-time starting gigs, but others like Mike Adams and Will Beatty could theoretically be options for Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Falcons are holding an open competition for the startight right guard job. Wes Schweitzer and Ben Garland are top contenders, per coach Dan Quinn, but Ledbetter gets the sense that Schweitzer is in the catbird seat. That would leave Garland and fourth round pick Sean Harlow on the bench to start the year.