Looking back at this past offseason for the New Orleans Saints, there was plenty to be said about the lack of depth and star power on both sides of the ball. While already in a difficult cap situation at the start of March, the Saints managed to make a handful of strategic moves aimed at bringing in contributors without sacrificing long-term flexibility. Most importantly, the team retained its draft capital and selected nine players in hopes of forming a young, sustainable core under new head coach Kellen Moore. With an aging roster filled with veterans no longer playing at their peak, it was clear that improvement was needed across the board.

Fortunately for New Orleans, several key position groups saw notable upgrades–both through the draft and free agency.

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Here’s a look at the positions where the Saints got better this offseason:

Offensive line

Coming into the offseason, the Saints faced major questions along the offensive line–particularly at left guard and right tackle. While 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga had a solid rookie campaign, and the interior features Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy and steady right guard Cesar Ruiz, the rest of the line lacked clarity. With Lucas Patrick departing and Trevor Penning still an unknown at tackle, the team needed to solidify those spots.

With their first pick in this year’s draft, they addressed the most pressing concern by selecting Kevin Banks Jr., a plug-and-play starter at left tackle. This move allows Fuaga to slide to his natural position at right tackle and gives the Saints flexibility with Penning, who could slide inside to left guard–a position many believe may better suit his skill set. Additionally, the signing of veteran Dillon Radunz provides valuable insurance at both tackle and guard, giving the Saints a more stable and versatile unit up front as they head into the 2025 season.

Defensive tackle

After finishing with a bottom-three run defense last season, the Saints had major work to do up front. Instead of overhauling the entire defensive tackle group, the team opted to retain veterans like Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders while strategically adding new pieces to the mix. Their first major move came early in the offseason with the signing of Davon Godchaux, one of the league’s premier nose tackles and a Louisiana native coming over from New England. To further bolster the interior, the Saints used their first third-round pick on Texas defensive tackle Vernon Broughton, adding a dose of athleticism and youth to a unit in need of fresh legs and improved disruption.

Safety

The safety position saw a quiet but meaningful overhaul this offseason as the Saints worked to get younger, more versatile, and deeper on the back end. With Tyrann Mathieu entering the twilight of his career and no answer beside him, the team knew they needed to add quickly.

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The headliner of this year’s free agent class safety Justin Reid, signed with the team after a strong run with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played a key role in two Super Bowl titles. Reid brings a unique skillset to the safety room as a physical downhill thumper, who can lock up tight ends and limit running backs out of the backfield. The Saints then used a third-round selection on Virginia’s Jonas Sanker, a physical and instinctive safety with long-term starter potential. With Jordan Howden also returning for his second year, the Saints now have a well-rounded safety room that blends youth, versatility, and veteran stability.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 3 positions where the Saints got better this offseason