Countdown To Kickoff - 2024 New Orleans Saints (1 Viewer)

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13 more sleeps until the Saints first preseason game of 2024!!!

 

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Excerpts from an article by Jeremy Trottier of Saints Wire on 7/29/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com


July 29th, 2024 - Alvin Kamara - Number 41

Countdown to Kickoff: Alvin Kamara is the Saints Player of Day 41​

The 2024 NFL season is now under six weeks away, and there are only 41 days remaining until the New Orleans Saints’ Week 1 kickoff against the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome. As we continue to count down the days left until the Saints first matchup of the season, we look at the corresponding jersey number to the remaining number of days. Today the corresponding number is tied to Saints legend Alvin Kamara.

Aside from Kamara, there have been eight other players to wear the number 41, and most notable to most fans would be Super Bowl-winning defensive back Roman Harper.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the career up to this point for Kamara, and delve into what we may be able to expect from him this upcoming season:

• Name (Age): Alvin Kamara (29)
• Position: Running Back
• Height, weight: 5-foot-10, 215 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 8.08
• 2024 salary cap hit: $18,553,824
• College: Tennessee
• Drafted: Round 3 (New Orleans Saints)
• NFL experience: 7 years

Things are intriguing at the running back position for the Saints this year, especially considering the contract negotiations ongoing between the team and Kamara. He does have two years left on his contract, however his cap hit would be set at $29,077,000, which is likely not to stand one way or another. If he does get extended, the obvious method to stretch that amount across the new remaining years would be likely put into play. However, a deal would have to be reached first for that to occur, which is still ongoing.

The last two seasons have been somewhat not up to par for Kamara either, having only four scrimmage touchdowns in 2022 and six in 2023, compared to nine in 2021 and 21 in 2020. Additionally, he also had lower metrics compared to previous seasons, with 2023 marking a career low in rushing yards and scrimmage yards, as well as the second least rush yards per attempt, rush yards per game, and receiving yards. He also struggled to break off larger plays, with his longest rush only being 17 yards and longest reception only being 25 yards, both career lows.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Alvin Kamara is the Saints Player of Day 41

Countdown to Kickoff: Alvin Kamara is the Saints Player of Day 41. Can he return to his past heights with Klint Kubiak calling plays?

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Excerpts from an article by Jeremy Trottier of Saints Wire on 7/30/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com

July 30th, 2024 - Zander Horvath - Number 40

Countdown to Kickoff: Zander Horvath is the Saints Player of Day 40​

The New Orleans Saints Week 1 matchup with the Carolina Panthers is getting closer and closer, with only 40 days remaining until this divisional tilt. As we continue to count down the days until that first matchup for the Saints, we look at the corresponding jersey number to that amount of days remaining, which today is fullback Zander Horvath.

The number has had some quality players tied to it across Saints history, with Delvin Breaux, Robert Massey, and Terry Schmidt all being notable users of the No. 40 jersey.

With that said, let’s take a look at Horvath’s career so far, his background, and what we may be able to expect from him this upcoming 2024 season.

• Name (Age): Zander Horvath (25)
• Position: Fullback
• Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 230 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 9.83
• 2024 salary cap hit: $915,000
• College: Purdue
• Drafted: Round 7, Pick 260 (Los Angeles Chargers)
• NFL experience: 2 seasons

Horvath is an intriguing addition for the Saints, as he was exceptionally talented throughout his high school years and was a solid contributor throughout his collegiate career at Purdue. As we all know, the Saints love players with high Relative Athletic Scores, or more specifically those who have good physical attributes and are extremely athletically gifted, which Horvath was scoring a 9.83 out of a possible 10.00 in RAS.

Fullback is most definitely a position of need, as the Saints always like to keep one on the roster for 3rd and short or 4th and short situations. In recent years there was Adam Prentice and Alex Armah, with Prentice still remaining with the Saints. Prentice has had a rough go of things in recent games, having a fumble, dropped pass, and slow blocking plan in the span of seven days, which caused him to lose favor with Saints fans relatively quickly.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Zander Horvath is the Saints Player of Day 40

We continue our daily countdown to the Saints Week 1 kickoff with No. 40. Fullback Zander Horvath is the Saints Player of the Day:

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Excerpts from an article by Jeremy Trottier of Saints Wire on 7/31/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com


July 31st, 2024 - Charlie Smyth - Number 39

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Countdown to Kickoff: Charlie Smyth is the Saints Player of Day 39​

The 2024 NFL season is getting closer to being a reality for fans, as we have only 39 days left until the New Orleans Saints Week 1 bout against the Carolina Panthers. As we continue to count down the days until this first matchup for the Saints, we will look at the corresponding jersey number to the remaining days, which today is kicker Charlie Smyth, who comes to the Saints from Northern Ireland.

Smyth takes over the number from Lou Hedley who held it last season, and the number has a relatively long history, with it’s most notable wearer being former defensive back Brett Maxie, a quality player for the Saints back in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

With that said, let’s take a look at Smyth’s background up to this point, as well as what we should or can expect from him this upcoming season.

• Name (Age): Charlie Smyth (22)
• Position: Kicker
• Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 210 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: N/A
• 2024 salary cap hit: $795,000
• College: St Colman’s College & St Mary’s University College
• Drafted: Signed via NFL International Pathway Program
• NFL experience: Rookie

Charlie Smyth is one of the more intriguing players on the Saints roster this upcoming season, as he was signed to the team this offseason through the International Pathway Program.

He signed a three-year contract with the Saints in March after competing at the NFL Scouting Combine where he hit 12 of 16 field goal tries and made 8 of 10 at his pro day with one connecting from 60 yards out.

He previously played Gaelic football for the Down County team, as well as the Down’s Ulster Under-20 championship team. Gaelic football is somewhat of a cross between American football and rugby, but Smyth’s skillset there as a goalkeeper led to him hoping to get an NFL tryout as early as July 2019.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Charlie Smyth is the Saints Player of Day 39

We continue our daily countdown of days remaining to the Saints Week 1 kickoff and the corresponding jersey numbers with No. 39, kicker Charlie Smyth.

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Excerpts from an article by John Sigler of Saints Wire on 8/1/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com


August 1st, 2024 - Millard Bradford - Number 38

Countdown to Kickoff: Millard Bradford is the Saints Player of Day 38​

We’re continuing our countdown to the New Orleans Saints’ season opener by highlighting Millard Bradford, the rookie safety from TCU and the current owner of the No. 38 jersey. With 38 days left until kickoff with the Carolina Panthers, that makes Bradford our Saints Player of the Day:

• Name (Age): Millard Bradford (24)
• Position: Safety
• Height, weight: 5-foot-10, 191 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 7.69
• 2024 salary cap hit: $798,333
• College: TCU
• Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
• NFL experience: Rookie

Bradford signed a standard three-year undrafted free agent contract with the Saint that included $60,000 in guarantees, which is nothing to overlook even if it isn’t on the higher end of the scale for rookies. That suggests they believed he could at least compete for a spot on their practice squad. And the early returns justified that — Millard had several interceptions at rookie minicamp and OTAs this spring, picking off Spencer Rattler twice in one afternoon of work.


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Countdown to Kickoff: Millard Bradford is the Saints Player of Day 38

Countdown to Kickoff: Millard Bradford is the Saints Player of Day 38. What must the safety from TCU do to make the team?

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Excerpts from an article by John Sigler of Saints Wire on 8/2/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com

August 2nd, 2024 - Lawrence Johnson -Number 37

Countdown to Kickoff: Lawrence Johnson is the Saints Player of Day 37​

Only 37 days stand between us and the New Orleans Saints’ season opener. That makes the current owner of the No. 37 jersey our Saints Player of the Day: Lawrence Johnson. The rookie safety has made some plays at training camp, so let’s dig into his story and how he can make the team.

• Name (Age): Lawrence Johnson (24)
• Position: Safety
• Height, weight: 6-foot-0, 205 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 5.28
• 2024 salary cap hit: $796,666
• College: Southeast Missouri State
• Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
• NFL experience: Rookie

Johnson gained a ton of experience in college, appearing in 55 games (most of them starts) at both free safety and strong safety while also spending a lot of time in the slot. He had a nice forced fumble in team drills recently, punching the ball out of Mason Tipton’s hands at the end of a long reception. He reminds you of former Saints defensive back P.J. Williams, who played with a similar physical edge while lining up all over Dennis Allen’s secondary.

And Johnson could be someone who shines best when playing at full speed in the preseason games. He’s competing with other safeties like Millard Bradford, another undrafted rookie, as well as veterans Will Harris and Roderic Teamer.


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Countdown to Kickoff: Lawrence Johnson is the Saints Player of Day 37

Countdown to Kickoff: Lawrence Johnson is the Saints Player of Day 37. He’s making plays at training camp to try and win a roster spot

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Excerpts from an article by Crissy Froyd of Saints Wire on 8/3/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com

August 3rd, 2924 - Rico Payton - Number 36

Countdown to Kickoff: Rico Payton is Saints Player of Day 36​

Just 36 days stand between now and 2024 season kickoff time for the New Orleans Saints.

That makes the Saints player of the day Rico Payton, who wears the No. 36 jersey. Here’s everything to know about the former Pittsburg State cornerback:

• Name (Age): Rico Payton (24)
• Position: Cornerback
• Height, weight: 6-foot, 182 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 8.36
• 2024 salary cap hit: $800,000
• College: Pittsburg State (Kansas)
• Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
• NFL experience: Rookie

Payton, an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburg State opens the rookie season of his NFL career in 2024 with the New Orleans Saints after a successful run with the Pittsburg State Gorillas at the college level.

He comes off a final season with the Gorillas in which he totaled 35 tackles (23 solo), 4 interceptions and 16 pass break-ups en route to earning 2023 NCAA Division II Second Team All-American honors from the AFCA.

Payton was also nominated for the Division II 2023 Cliff Harris Award, which is presented annually to exceptional defensive players in small college football programs.

The former Gorilla was a two-time All-MIAA Selection, finishing out his career with 64 total tackles (46 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 26 passes defended, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Rico Payton is Saints Player of Day 36

Cornerback Rico Payton is the Saints Player of Day 36. The former Pitt State standout is doing all he can to make the team:

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Excerpts from an article by John Sigler of Saints Wire on 8/4/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com



August 4th, 2024 - Jacob Kibodi - Number 35


Saints Season Opener Is Five Weeks From Today!

Countdown to Kickoff: Jacob Kibodi is the Saints Player of Day 35

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We’ve got 35 days to go until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 regular season, which makes the current owner of the No. 35 jersey our Saints Player of the Day. Rookie running back Jacob Kibodi must make some moves in next week’s preseason game to make the team:

• Name (Age): Jacob Kibodi (25)
• Position: Running back
• Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 225 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 3.60
• 2024 salary cap hit: $797,000
• College: Louisiana (Lafayette)
• Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
• NFL experience: Rookie

Kibodi’s college career initially began at Texas A&M (where he appeared in 15 games), but he transferred to Louisiana in 2021 and steadily climbed the depth chart. He led the Ragin’ Cajuns in carries, rushing yards, and touchdown runs in 2023 before signing with the Saints as a rookie free agent after the 2024 draft.

He’s facing long odds of making the team. Kibodi doesn’t have a ton of experience running on special teams or playing on third down — he’s only caught 19 passes at the college level and wasn’t asked to pick up the blitz in pass protection very often. Those are the skills he must cultivate to make the cut.

Last year the Saints rostered just three running backs for much of the season: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Kendre Miller, with Jordan Mims and James Robinson on the practice squad. Kamara and Williams appear to be safe, and it’s tough to see the Saints moving on from Miller after just one season.


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Countdown to Kickoff: Jacob Kibodi is the Saints Player of Day 35

Countdown to Kickoff: Jacob Kibodi is the Saints Player of Day 35. He’ll need to make some moves in next week’s preseason game to make the team.

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Excerpts from an article by John Sigler of Saints Wire on 8/5/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com


August 5th, 2024 - Kool-Aid McKinstry - Number 34

Countdown to Kickoff: Kool-Aid McKinstry is the Saints Player of Day 34​

Just 34 days stand between the New Orleans Saints and their season opener with the Carolina Panthers, which makes Kool-Aid McKinstry our Saints Player of the Day. The current owner of the No. 34 jersey has gotten much more work at training camp than we may have expected when the Saints drafted him, but those opportunities should serve him well.

Let’s look back on the road that brought him here and where it could take him:

• Name (Age): Kool-Aid McKinstry (21)
• Position: Cornerback
• Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 199 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 7.54
• 2024 salary cap hit: $1,664,929
• College: Alabama
• Drafted: Round 2 in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
• NFL experience: Rookie

McKinstry was seen as a luxury pick when the Saints traded up for him, but an early-summer injury to Marshon Lattimore has thrust him into the spotlight. That’s not to say he’ll remain in place as Lattimore’s replacement; once the veteran is healthy, McKinstry will go back to competing with Alontae Taylor to start in the slot. And that’s a role he says he’s comfortable with, having practiced it often on Alabama’s second-team defense under Nick Saban.

His best path to playing as a rookie remains in the slot, but McKinstry could have a tough time unseating Taylor. If he doesn’t get the nod to start in the Saints’ nickel defense, McKinstry could still play a lot outside if Lattimore misses more time, or if Paulson Adebo gets nicked up. And if either (or both) of them move on next year he’s primed to start. There isn’t a team in the NFL that has enough starting-quality corners.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Kool-Aid McKinstry is the Saints Player of Day 34

Countdown to Kickoff: Kool-Aid McKinstry is the Saints Player of Day 34. The rookie Nick Saban called the draft’s most pro-ready corner might play right away

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Excerpts from an article by John Sigler of Saints Wire on 8/6/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com​

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August 6th, 2024 - Jordan Mims - Number 33​

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Countdown to Kickoff: Jordan Mims is the Saints Player of Day 33​

Our countdown to the New Orleans Saints season opener picks up with Day 33, and the current owner of the No 33 jersey is our Saints Player of the Day: running back Jordan Mims. What’s his story? Let’s break it down.

• Name (Age): Jordan Mims (25)
• Position: Running back
• Height, weight: 6-foot-0, 205 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 1.46
• 2024 salary cap hit: $795,000
• College: Fresno State
• Drafted: Undrafted in 2023 (Buffalo Bills)
• NFL experience: 2 years

Mims has been the biggest beneficiary of Kendre Miller’s hamstring injury on the first day of training camp, having climbed the depth chart to get opportunities to shine he may have not found on the third-team offense. But his work is far from over; head coach Dennis Allen has said he anticipates Mims getting a lot of work this preseason, which will be a big factor in his full evaluation before roster cuts.

One big point in his favor? Mims excelled in a college offense that emphasized zone blocking concepts similar to the one Klint Kubiak is installing this summer. His patience and vision to follow his blockers have shined at training camp, and his quick acceleration have helped him make some big plays on the ground. He’s also well-versed in running routes and catching passes, and he’s shown a willingness to help on special teams in the past.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Jordan Mims is the Saints Player of Day 33

Countdown to Kickoff: Jordan Mims is the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 33. The second-year running back has a big opportunity this preseason

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Attention SoCal Saints residents:

 

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Excerpts from an article by Luke Loffredo of Saints Wire on 8/7/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com


August 7th, 2024 - Tyrann Mathieu - Number 32

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Countdown to Kickoff: Tyrann Mathieu is the Saints Player of Day 32​

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We now have 32 days to go until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 regular season, which makes the current owner of the No. 32 jersey our Saints Player of the Day New Orleans native Tyrann Mathieu.

• Name (Age): Tyrann Mathieu (32)
• Position: Defensive back
• Height, weight: 5-foot-9, 190 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 3.94
• 2024 salary cap hit: $5,567,000
• College: LSU
• Drafted: 3rd Round in 2013 (Arizona Cardinals)
• NFL experience: 12 years

Tyrann Mathieu, one of the most electrifying players to ever touch the defensive side of the ball made his way back to his hometown in 2022, when he signed a three-year, $28.3 million contract with the Saints. Since returning home, Mathieu has been one of the brightest spots on his side of the ball for New Orleans. In his first two years with the team, Mathieu has recorded 166 combined tackles, 17 pass deflections and 7 interceptions, leading the team in consecutive seasons. At age 32, Mathieu’s consistency is still at an elite level earning Pro Football Focus player grades of 81.2 and 81.3 over the last two years. This consistency earned Mathieu a two-year extension with the team that he signed earlier in the offseason.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Tyrann Mathieu is the Saints Player of Day 32

Countdown to Kickoff: Tyrann Mathieu is the Saints Player of Day 32. There’s nothing better than seeing No. 32 do it in the 504

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Excerpts from an article by John Sigler of Saints Wire on 8/8/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com



Only One Month From Today For The Saints 2024 Opening Day Kickoff! Who Dat!


August 8th, 2024 - Jordan Howden - Number 31

Countdown to Kickoff: Jordan Howden is the Saints Player of Day 31​

Our countdown to the New Orleans Saints’ regular season continues with Day 31, making the current owner of the No. 31 jersey our Saints Player of the Day. That’s second-year safety Jordan Howden, who must make a big leap forward in 2024.

• Name (Age): Jordan Howden (24)
• Position: Defensive back
• Height, weight: 6-foot-0, 209 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 8.88
• 2024 salary cap hit: $996,682
• College: Minnesota
• Drafted: Round 5 in 2023 (New Orleans Saints)
• NFL experience: 2 years

Howden has a lot of promise. He has all the athletic ability in the world, proven playmaking potential in college at Minnesota (he logged 20 passes defensed and four interceptions with the Golden Gophers), and a strong sense of accountability — he was chosen as a team captain for good reason.

We just need to see him put it all together in the pros. He was benched in favor of Johnathan Abram late last year and the veteran has been pushing him for the starting job all summer. Howden has been slowed down by a shoulder injury, too. He needs to stay on the field, learn from his mistakes, and earn his coaches’ trust. He’s done it before at a good college program. He just needs to do it again.


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Countdown to Kickoff: Jordan Howden is the Saints Player of Day 31

Jordan Howden is the Saints Player of Day 31 in our countdown to kickoff. The second-year safety needs to make a big leap:

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Excerpts from an article by Crissy Froyd of Saints Wire on 8/9/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com

August 9th, 2024 - Roderic Teamer - Number 30

Countdown to Kickoff: Roderic Teamer is Saints Player of Day 30​

The countdown to kickoff for the Saints’ 2024 regular season continues, now just 30 days out from the official opener. And, in recognition of that, we’re taking the time to highlight former Tulane defensive back Roderic Teamer. He currently wears the No. 30 jersey.

Here’s everything to know about the safety who took the field in college for the Green Wave, now continuing his professional career in the same city of New Orleans:

• Name (Age): Roderic Teamer (27)
• Position: Safety
• Height, weight: 6-foot-0, 205 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 3.66
• 2024 salary cap hit: $985,000
• College: Tulane
• Drafted: Undrafted in 2019 (Los Angeles Chargers)
• NFL experience: 5th season

Teamer went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft, signed by the Los Angeles Chargers on April 27, 2019. He made his NFL debut on September 22, 2019 against the Houston Texans, recording seven tackles at the strong safety position.

He lasted just one season with the team, though, amassing 40 combined tackles (30 solo), two passes defended, one sack and an interception over six games.

Teamer has been something of a journeyman since then, making stops in with the Indianapolis Colts (2021) and the Las Vegas Raiders (2021-2023) before making his way to the Saints, who signed him on June 20.

Teamer rejoins several of his former Raiders teammates with the move to New Orleans, including quarterback Derek Carr as well as tight end Foster Moreau, safety Johnathan Abram, defensive tackle Kendal Vickers, and offensive tackle Justin Herron, who is on injured reserve.

Over his career to this point, Teamer has totaled 103 tackles (72 solo), 3 passes defended, 1 sack and 1 interception over 40 games played.

It will be interesting to see what type of role he carves out with the Saints in his first season returning to the same state where it all started for him.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Roderic Teamer is Saints Player of Day 30

Looking into safety Roderic Teamer, who wears the No. 30 jersey, with just 30 days ahead of the New Orleans Saints’ 2024 season kickoff:

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Excerpts from an article by Jeremy Trottier of Saints Wire on 8/10/24 as viewed at saintswire.usatoday.com


August 10th, 2024 = Paulson Adebo - Number 29

Countdown to Kickoff: Paulson Adebo is the Saints Player of Day 29​

The 2024 NFL season is now less than 30 days away, with 29 days remaining until the New Orleans Saints kickoff their Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. As we continue to count down the days until that matchup, we take a look at the corresponding jersey number, which today is No. 29 — Paulson Adebo.

With players like Sammy Knight, Chris Ivory, Mo Spencer, and Josh Bullocks previously wearing 29, it is no foreign number to Saints fans. With that said, let’s take a look at Paulson Adebo’s background through this point in his career, as well as what we could expect from him this upcoming season.

• Name (Age): Paulson Adebo (25)
• Position: Cornerback
• Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 192 pounds
• Relative Athletic Score: 9.55
• 2024 salary cap hit: $3,623,274
• College: Stanford
• Drafted: Round 3, Pick 76 (New Orleans Saints)
• NFL experience: 3 seasons

Adebo has been a quality starter for the Saints however and stands to continue improving over time in what is now a contract year. He ended last season with career highs in interceptions (4), pass deflections (18 – third in the league), and total tackles (76). Additionally, he set career best numbers in completion percentage allowed (55%), touchdowns allowed (1), and passer rating allowed (62.7) despite seeing a career high in targets (100). Adebo already receives a huge role in the defense due to this success, as he saw 99% of defensive snaps in 2023, and could stand to see a similar role in 2024 with that level of elite play.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Paulson Adebo is the Saints Player of Day 29

We continue our kickoff to the regular season with Paulson Adebo, as only 29 days remain to the Saints’ Week 1 kickoff:

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