Breaking News Sean Payton is OUT as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints after 15 years. What does this mean for dynasty fantasy & IDP rosters?
The "real" football and fantasy football worlds are reeling after the breaking news of Sean Payton informing the New Orleans Saints that he would be stepping away as head coach. This could have lasting effects on the team organization, along with your dynasty fantasy and IDP rosters.
Sources: Sean Payton has informed the #Saints that he’s stepping away.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2022
Coach Payton was considered an offensive genius and guru. It helps to have had Drew Brees captaining that offense for the majority of his tenure, but I digress. Aside from Drew Brees, Payton launched the careers of many a fantasy football stud. Marques Colston is the first name that jumps to mind. That rookie year with TE eligibility won how many of you championships!??
Payton also had the services of perennial producers Deuce McAllister, and Joe Horn early on. Then of course the incomparable Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara more recently. Reggie Bush, Brandin Cooks, and Mark Ingram took a little time to marinate but ultimately became solid fantasy assets.
Payton even got stretches of top-tier fantasy production from waiver wire heroes such as Pierre Thomas, Tim Hightower, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Chris Ivory, Kenny Stills, Willie Snead, Coby Fleener (OK a bunch of us wasted early draft picks on him), and Ted Ginn Jr. Additionally, he revived and gave some juice to the careers of tight ends Ben Watson and Jared Cook. How about some of those throw-back names, huh?
The New Orleans Saints and fantasy community alike will certainly miss Coach Sean Payton.
Initial thoughts are that any older veterans, with expensive or expiring contracts, will not be brought back, or released. Don't forget, the Saints are among the top teams projected to be over the cap next year - to the tune of approximately $70+ million.
Dynasty Fantasy Impact
Alvin Kamara, RB (Age 26) - Hold/Sell
With the loss of Sean Payton, Kamara becomes probably the most interesting dynasty player from an action standpoint. There's already been a slight decline in production and annoying injuries, and Kamara is only 26 years old. His days as a coveted top dynasty running back may be over.
Depending on personal value, you may just want to hold and have him retire on your roster. However, if you're able to get a 2023 or even 2024 first-round rookie pick, I might take that and run. Possibly try for an add-on, but things might be looking grim for Karmara's value right now - which is the worst time to sell.
Michael Thomas, WR (Age 28/29 in-season) - Hold/Sell
For just a little over the past calendar year, the Michael Thomas situation has been in turmoil. That doesn't usually end up improving for most players facing both injury and unhappiness with their current team. Could we see a Randy Moss-like resurgence in a new home for Thomas? Absolutely, yes. Would I bet on that in fantasy? Probably not.
I am a seller of Thomas or holder if there are just trash offers coming your way. Similar to Kamara, a future first and I'm probably smashing accept. Maybe even would entertain a second plus up-and-coming WR like Kadarius Toney or someone of that nature.
Taysom Hill, QB (Age 31) - SELL
I am going to assume the new coaching regime is not going to see whatever it is that Sean Payton saw in Taysom Hill. And I believe his massive, head-scratching contract was written so the Saints could somewhat easily get out of it. I'd expect that to happen and if you can get some sucker to bite on taking Hill off of your hands, especially in SuperFlex, do it. I'm cutting him in one-QB leagues. It was never Taysom Hill.
Jameis Winston said what QB competition pic.twitter.com/vkH65B12pu
— Steve Tomasin (Dynasty Santa) (@dynastysanta) August 24, 2021
Jameis Winston, QB (Age 28) - Buy
As a fan of Jameis Winston, from a fantasy perspective, I am rooting for him to return healthy and get another shot as a starting QB. Whether it be in New Orleans, or somewhere else, I am a buyer. He was up and down but was showing promise. As a starter for seven games, he went 5-2 for the Saints, tossing 14 TDs to only 3 INTS. That's an amazing improvement for the maligned QB!
Winston should be a relatively cheap buy, even in SuperFlex. Float a rookie second out there, especially if it's in the coveted 2023 draft. It was always Jameis Winston.
Other Buys
Adam Trautman, TE (Age 24/25 in-season) - He was making some real progress and earning targets before the injury. I'm probably much higher on him than consensus, despite the uncertainty at QB
Deonte Harris, WR (Age 24) - I think I've come around on him as my favorite of the rag-tag bunch of receivers left in New Orleans currently. Big-play home run threat who was becoming the most trusted target before the injury
Other Sells
Mark Ingram, RB (Age 32) - Obviously
Marquez Callaway, WR (Age 23/24 in-season) - I think we've seen his ceiling and fantasy contribution max this year. Hopefully, you already sold for a rookie second or upside player when the hype train was in full effect earlier this year
Tre'Quan Smith, WR (Age 26) - This one pains me, as I was a truther. But this was probably his biggest shot to take the reigns with no Micheal Thomas and a room full of less talented players. He came up short. Massively short
Juwan Johnson, TE/WR (Age 25) - NOT the Marques Colston clone some people thought he might be able to be
Tony Jones, RB (Age 24) - Just in case you were thinking of holding or acquiring - don't
IDP
The IDP landscape for this team may change even more drastically than the offense. I envision most vets on large contracts, or older free agents, to be released or not brought back. That depends on the Saints' cap wizardry ability.
Buys
Pete Werner, LB (Age 22) - As a rookie, his playing time was a bit yo-yo-ey but he should be in line for a bigger role in 2022 and beyond as a prototypical ILB tackling machine
Marcus Davenport, DE (Age 25) - Davenport will be a very interesting case to see if the Saints move on or pick up the fifth-year option of the former first-round, fourteenth overall pick. He has battled injuries and underperformance his entire career. However, he FINALLY had somewhat of a breakout this year, totaling nine sacks in 11 games played. The talent is there, just needs to stay healthy
Payton Turner, DE (Age 23) - It is likely one or both of Cameron Jordan and/or Marcus Davenport will be gone this or next year. Then this opens up a spot for the Saints' 2021 first-round draft pick Turner. He missed most of the year to an injury
Paulson Adebo, CB (Age 22) - Very talented and will be soaking up all the targets/tackles from teams who smartly throw away from Marshon Lattimore for a few years
Kwon Alexander, LB (Age 27) - Might be surprising as a buy. Showed some promise mid-late season and may have done enough to re-up with the Saints on another cheap/prove-it deal. Or, he heads to a new team and competes for a starting spot. I think owners might be happy to part with him cheaply after getting some surprise production this year
Marcus Williams, S (Age 25) - A solid IDP producer who may strike a large contract with a new team this year. Should be a very cheap, under-the-radar buy. And if he stays in New Orleans and Malcolm Jenkins is gone, then wheels up
Holds
Marshon Lattimore, CB (Age 25) - He has the largest contract on the team, for good reason. He likely isn't going anywhere and remains a solid fantasy CB. One of the rare CBs who is actually good in coverage AND gives you fantasy production
Demario Davis, LB (age 33) - Davis was still a solid LB producer for IDP despite creeping up in age. I could see the Saints moving on, but I'd like to see where he ends up so he's a hold for me. Sell if you are not as optimistic
Sells
Cameron Jordan, DE (Age 32) - I could see the Saints moving on from the long-time DL stud. He took some time to get going this year, which was concerning. I hope he doesn't fall out of relevance similar to Calais Campbell, but I could see it happening
Malcolm Jenkins, S (Age 34) - Another vet with a decent-sized contract. He was still productive for the Saints, but unsure if that will continue on a new team who may not give him the same starting snaps, or money.
Zack Baun, LB (Age 25) - Probably a cut in shallower leagues. Try to find your league's truther and see if you can get a late-round rookie pick or swap for a young LB you may like. I just don't think he's more than a career backup going forward
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB/S (Age 24) - He has plenty of truthers, find them and get a deal done. I guess I am just not a believer. Give me Paulson Adebo all day over CGJ
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