New Orleans Saints training camp preview: Key dates, notable additions, biggest storylines

With 2024 NFL training camps set to open, it’s time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Bobby Kownack has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the NFC South.

Catch up on the New Orleans Saints’ offseason developments and 2024 outlook below.

Training Camp Dates/Information

• Players report: July 16 (rookies); July 23 (veterans)
• Location: University of California, Irvine | Irvine, California (fan information)

Notable Roster Changes

Preseason Schedule

• Week 1: at Arizona Cardinals | 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 10
• Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers | 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 18 (FOX)
• Week 3: vs. Tennessee Titans | 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 25 (NFL Network)

2024 Schedule Notes

• The Saints have three consecutive home games during Weeks 10-13, with their bye occurring in Week 12.
• Based on their opponents’ 2023 win percentage (.453), New Orleans has the joint easiest strength of schedule.
• This season, the Saints have three prime-time games, equal to the number they had last year.

— NFL Research

What You Need To Know

1) New Orleans is ready to spice things up. Of the top five offenses in pre-snap motion last year — the Dolphins, 49ers, Rams, Lions and Chargers — four finished in the top eight in scoring. Miami, San Francisco and Detroit finished one, two and three in yards. It’s not the end-all be-all, of course. The Saints still ranked ninth in scoring and 14th in yards in 2023, but they took a stagnant approach, running motion only 38.3 percent of the time (third-lowest rate in the NFL), per Next Gen Stats. That likely won’t be the case in 2024, as Dennis Allen hired a new offensive coordinator in former Niners’ passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak, who is capable of bringing more pizzazz to help Derek Carr and Co. San Francisco used motion on 79.2% of plays last year (second most in the NFL).

2) Alvin Kamara left mandatory minicamp early, a decision his agent confirmed was contract-related. He’s been the versatile engine that’s helped the Saints go for so many years, but he was less efficient last season than we’re used to seeing in both the running and passing game. Maybe the new offense will reinvigorate him, but how does he approach camp as he seeks a new deal? Does he attend but “hold in” during negotiations, or does he practice from the start? Backfield mate Jamaal Williams needs to prove he still has gas in the tank after averaging 2.9 yards per carry in 2023. Also, regardless of Kamara’s situation, New Orleans would benefit from getting Kendre Miller involved early and often in August, after the third-rounder logged just 51 touches as a rookie.

3) The Saints are shuffling the deck to find their best five offensive linemen. Former first-rounder Trevor Penning has been giving it a go at right tackle after New Orleans benched him from the left tackle spot last season. Meanwhile, 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga will try the inverse, working at left tackle after primarily manning the right side for Oregon State. The team’s margin for error at both tackle spots is made more precarious by Ryan Ramczyk possibly missing all of 2024 with a knee issue that has cast doubt on his playing future (EDITOR’S UPDATE: Ramczyk will miss the season after being placed on the reserve/PUP list on Thursday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.). Center Erik McCoy and guard Cesar Ruiz must lead the way in his potential absence.

4) New Orleans’ recent run of defensive dominance is commendable, but is it sustainable? The Saints have now produced a top-10 scoring defense in four consecutive seasons, a period of success many associate with aging veterans like defensive end Cameron Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis, who will both be 35 when training camp begins. Jordan missed the Pro Bowl in 2023 for the first time since 2016 and had his fewest sacks (two) since his rookie season. Was it slippage or more his injured ankle? Davis, meanwhile, made his second consecutive Pro Bowl, though he’s the older of the two and turns 36 in January. There are questions behind both of them. Can 2021 first-round pick Payton Turner finally arrive in his fourth NFL training camp? How far along will Chase Young be in his recovery from neck surgery? And how does playing time shake out between Pete Werner and Willie Gay?

5) Barring a trade, the Saints might go through camp with a problem at cornerback any coach would welcome: possessing more starting talent than starting spots available. Earlier this offseason there were trade rumblings involving Marshon Lattimore, the senior member of the position group at 28. However, both general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Dennis Allen have dispelled such a notion, and the four-time Pro Bowler attended mandatory minicamp. Joining him atop New Orleans’ CB talent pool is Paulson Adebo, who took a leap in Year 3 with four interceptions, two forced fumbles and an 80.5 PFF coverage grade. Although it’d be helpful if Alontae Taylor progresses similarly going into his third season, he’s a trustworthy nickel corner regardless. No. 41 overall pick Kool-Aid McKinstry could be pressed into considerable action if anything changes on the Lattimore front or if injuries come into play. As it stands, he doesn’t necessarily need to sink or swim immediately.

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