5 worst Saints players who greatly disappointed during the 2022 season
The 2022 season used to be fascinating for the New Orleans Saints. They completed with a 7-10 file however might not get to make their first-round resolution thanks to a change they made with the Eagles closing offseason.
The Saints season did not go in accordance to diagram and these gamers now not performing nicely performed a hand in why that used to be the case. Let's take a seem at six Saints gamers who had been disappointments in 2022.
#5. Wil Lutz, Kicker
There was a time in the not-so-distant past where Wil Lutz was considered one of the best kickers in the league. It was a massive blow when the Saints were without him during the entire 2021 season, so having him back in 2022 had everyone excited.
Unfortunately, Lutz was not the same guy after returning from his injury. The Saints' kicker went 23-of-31 on field goal attempts 2022 season, good for a 74. 2%, by far the worst of his career. He did go a perfect 33-of-33 on extra point attempts, however, so that was at least promising.
Lutz really struggled in the 40-49 yard range, going just 4-of-8 there (he went 7-of-9 in the same range during the 2020 season). Simply put, Lutz just didn't look like the same guy in 2022. I'm not sure if the Saints try out other kickers this offseason, but it might not be a bad idea.
#4. Jarvis Landry, Wide Receiver
New Orleans Saints fans were excited when the team signed Jarvis Landry to a one-year "prove it" deal in the offseason. Unfortunately, Landry did not "prove it" during what will likely be his only year as a Saint, finishing with just 25 catches for 272 yards and an only touchdown in nine games.
An injury sidelined Landry for eight games but even when he was on the field, he wasn't the player the offense needed him to be. Aside from an electric outing in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, Landry barely made any sort of impact on the field. When fans go back and look at some of the most disappointing free-agent additions, I have no doubt that Landry will make an appearance on that list.
He was expected to be a top weapon in this offense and didn't hold up his end of the bargain. Jarvis Landry, who turned 30 in November, hits free agency again this offseason and the Saints need to stay far away from him.
#3 Paulson Adebo, Cornerback
Paulson Adebo experienced the prototypical sophomore slump after a sensational rookie campaign that had people raving about the Saint's sophomore slump.
Adebo received a coverage grade of 48.6 and an overall grade of 49.1 from Pro Football Focus. These results marked a significant decline from his 60.3 overall and 61.4 coverage grades from his rookie season in 2021.
Paulson Adebo wasn't the same player the Saints needed from his rookie season. Teams were undoubtedly picking on him because he was frequently burned in coverage. Adebo's performance in his second season as coach was disappointing given how strong he was as a rookie.
The good news is that Adebo did recover late on and performed admirably in Week 18's championship game against the Carolina Panthers.
#2 Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver
If you told New Orleans Saints fans in 2019 that Michael Thomas would not be the same guy after that season, people probably wouldn't have believed you. Thomas was so good during that 2019 season, and it felt like he was still trending upwards at that point, but nope.
Turns out that was the end of the road for Thomas' domination in a New Orleans uniform. Injuries have kept Thomas sidelined over the past three seasons, with him missing all of 2021 and only playing in three games this past season. We will say that when Thomas was on the field in 2022, he looked good. The former second-round pick hauled in at least five catches in each of his three games this past season and had two touchdowns in the season-opener. There was a lot to like about Thomas early on.
Unfortunately, his toe injury was too much to handle, and he didn't play again after the Week 3 loss to the Panthers. It's very likely that Thomas has played his final game as a member of the New Orleans Saints.
#1. Jameis Winston, Quarterback
I thought putting Michael Thomas in the top spot, but Winston gets it because he was supposed to be the starting quarterback but started only three games. Andy Dalton was probably the better option for the Saints in 2022, but Dalton was signed as the backup qb. He even knew that was his role coming in.
Jameis Winston's performance in the first three games - his only appearances in 2022 -- left a lot to be desired. Winston finished the season with just 858 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.
The former No. 1 overall pick looked good in his seven starts in the 2021 season, but that was with Sean Payton as his head coach and before his injuries. He looked like a totally different quarterback this season. Jameis Winston entered the season as the Saints' starting quarterback and was replaced by Andy Dalton for the final 14 games. How can he not be the team's biggest disappointment in 2022?
