2021 NFL Power Rankings: New Orleans Saints
Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the New Orleans Saints rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 16.4 (17th)
- Best ranking: 13th (CBS Sports)
- Worst ranking: 19th (NFL.com)
Below you will find a Week 3 roundup for the Saints in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 17
Fantasy surprise: TE Juwan Johnson
The Saints don't have any worthy candidates for this category based on their Week 2 flop alone. But Johnson did at least catch a 23-yard pass on Sunday on the heels of his two-TD performance from Week 1. And he remains a sleeper option in the deepest of fantasy leagues and daily lineups because of his big-play potential. Johnson, who converted from WR to TE this offseason, flashed consistently throughout training camp and the preseason. -- Mike Triplett
The Saints don't have any worthy candidates for this category based on their Week 2 flop alone. But Johnson did at least catch a 23-yard pass on Sunday on the heels of his two-TD performance from Week 1. And he remains a sleeper option in the deepest of fantasy leagues and daily lineups because of his big-play potential. Johnson, who converted from WR to TE this offseason, flashed consistently throughout training camp and the preseason. -- Mike Triplett
NFL.com -- Rank: 19
In Week 1, the Saints delivered a sublime performance that made you reconsider their ceiling in a post-Drew Brees world. On Sunday, they delivered a titanic dud that returns the team to the murky middle of the NFL. Dealing with a COVID-19 breakout and injuries at several key positions, the Saints were non-competitive in a 26-7 loss to the upstart Panthers. Jameis Winston threw two grisly interceptions that recalled his lowest moments in Tampa, while New Orleans' offense managed just 128 yards ... total. In Week 1, the Saints dropped a Bury The Ball Game on the Packers. On Monday, it was their turn to pick up the shovel.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 13
That was a pathetic performance at Carolina. The offense looked lifeless. Maybe the travel and being displaced caught up to them, but now they have a tough trip to New England.
USA Today -- Rank: 15
Their dichotomous 1-1 start perfectly reflects QB Jameis Winston's Jekyll-and-Hyde mirror images. Coach Sean Payton better re-establish New Orleans' identity quickly -- including RB Alvin Kamara's role -- if this team is to remain playoff-caliber.
The Athletic -- Rank: 18
Perhaps we were all a bit too high on the Jameis Winston Reclamation Project after Week 1. Week 2 was a reminder of what the Winston roller coaster was like during his time in Tampa: After the highs (five touchdowns against Green Bay) come the lows (two interceptions and no touchdowns and a couple what-the-heck-are-you-doing decisions against Carolina). We don't doubt that Winston was the Saints' best quarterback option, this just resets expectations a bit.
Previous updates:
- New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Week 2
- New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Week 1
- New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Draft
More New Orleans Saints pages:
- New Orleans Saints Mock Draft Roundup
- New Orleans Saints Snap Counts
- New Orleans Saints Franchise Leaders
- New Orleans Saints Draft History
- New Orleans Saints Schedule
- New Orleans Saints Tickets
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