New Orleans Saints
New Orleans is a matchup-dependent streamer with a poor start, and the coverage I found treats it as a desperation or deep-league option rather than a set-and-forget unit.
Role
This is a team defense, so there are no snap or touch shares. Rotoballer (3 days old) has the unit averaging only 2.0 fantasy points per game. Sportsnaut's Week 6 defense rankings put it 25th, down from 22nd. The next three weeks: at the Giants in Week 6, vs. the Steelers in Week 7 (Rotowire projects it 15th for that game), then a Week 8 bye. I did not read a depth chart or any snap data, so I can't say who is playing for this unit.
The Week 6 matchup does the work. Rotoballer and Archynewsy (citing FantasyPros) point to Giants QB Jameis Winston, who they say threw three interceptions and took nine sacks in his first three games. Yahoo's Week 6 D/ST rankings have the Saints 5th, and Rotowire says three of the five defenses to face the Saints scored double-digit fantasy points.
The results have been bad and are getting worse. Sportsnaut says Minnesota reached the red zone four times against New Orleans in Week 5 and converted half its third downs. Minnesota's offense had also been averaging 5.4 yards per play. Rotoballer's Week 6 tiers put the Saints in a group it calls really risky to start. Sportsnaut also says the Saints will have major problems covering Isaiah Likely and Malik Nabers.
Where analysts split
Analysts disagree on how much the Giants matchup should outweigh the weak start. Yahoo (5th) and Draft Sharks (12th) rank the Saints as a quality Week 6 play. Rotowire (14th) and Rotoballer (16th, tier 4) call them a last resort. Rotowire's version of the bull case is that opposing quarterbacks give up sacks and takeaways even when New Orleans allows yards. Rotoballer's version of the bear case is that nothing the unit has produced is trustworthy.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
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