As the New Orleans Saints prepare for the 2024 NFL season, fans have a reason to be optimistic for the year ahead.

It’s fair to say a lot of New Orleans Saints fans are entering the 2024 season cautiously optimistic, or just just flat out pessimistic. Plenty of fans have made it clear they aren’t fans of head coach Dennis Allen or quarterback Derek Carr. Like many analysts, there are fans that believe New Orleans is just delaying an inevitable rebuild.

As always, there are some fans, as well, that believe the Saints have enough to compete in 2024. Only time will tell which fan is right. However, there are undoubtedly reasons to be hopeful for the season ahead.

Ryan Fowler, in a recent piece for Bleacher Report, listed a reason for optimism in 2024 for all 32 teams. That’s an incredible feat considering the state of some franchises. For New Orleans, the reason for optimism was the team’s talented secondary.

Saints talented secondary is something to look forward to in 2024

Everyone can see that the strength of New Orleans in 2024 should be the defensive backfield. It’s a fun group with depth and young and veteran talent at all positions. Fowler detailed that while explaining why this group is the team’s biggest reason for optimism.

“The New Orleans Saints have quietly put together one of the NFL’s top secondaries. Despite already having Marshon Lattimore, Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo in place, they selected fellow cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry with a second-round pick to bolster their depth chart.”

– Ryan Fowler (Bleacher Report)
Fowler really raved about Kool-Aid McKinstry, arguing that he could thrive early with the Saints. He called the rookie defensive back “a match made in heaven” for Dennis Allen, and said McKinstry’s “eyes, instincts and footwork should give him a high floor.” Additionally, Kool-Aid will be surrounded by really good players, and Fowler pointed out how that will allow him to gamble and make plays on the ball.

It’s hard to disagree with anything Fowler said. McKinstry was long considered one of the most talented players in his class, so the fact the Saints landed him in the second round is incredible. It’s an example of the rich getting richer, and this rich secondary has the talent to lead the Saints to wins. If the rest of the team can follow suit, New Orleans will have a great year.