Drew Brees enters the 2013 season as one of the top quarterbacks in fantasy football. Brees is coming off a season in which he threw for 5177 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. Brees led the league in both passing yards and touchdowns, but his numbers were down from an even more spectacular 2011 season. Brees should have no problem keeping his fantasy dominance going this season; and right now, I would draft him as the number one fantasy quarterback.
Seneca Wallace was signed by the Saints this offseason to compete with Luke McCown for the backup quarterback position. Wallace has no fantasy value to start the season, and even if Drew Brees were to go down, his value would be minimal.
Darren Sproles will enter the 2013 season as the Saints' main pass catcher out of the backfield. Sproles caught 75 passes in 2012 despite missing three games, and should continue to flourish in PPR leagues this coming season. Sproles will not be much of a factor in the running game for the Saints, but his pass catching skills are enough to make him a solid RB 2 in PPR fantasy leagues. He's going off the board in the late second and early third. If you happen to start your draft WR/WR and he somehow falls to the third, walk to the bank, you're a winner.
Mark Ingram could be poised for a big season in 2013. Ingram has struggled to make a big impression over his first two seasons, but with Chris Ivory now gone, Ingram should see the majority of first and second down carries for the Saints. Sean Payton has emphasized that he wants to run the ball more this season, making Ingram a breakout candidate in fantasy leagues. The drawback to Ingram is that he is almost never used in the passing game, and is unlikely to become more involved, with Darren Sproles being so good catching the ball out of the backfield.
Pierre Thomas will have to compete for carries out of the Saints backfield this coming season. Mark Ingram is likely to handle the early down work, while Darren Sproles comes in to catch passes in passing situations. Thomas will have to outplay Ingram in the pre-season to cut into his carries once the season starts. Thomas should be drafted in fantasy leagues, as he could be a valuable asset if Ingram were to go down with an injury.
Marques Colston has been one of the most steady fantasy wide receivers since entering the league in 2006. Colston has amassed at least 1000 yards and seven touchdowns in each of the last four seasons, and should have no problem reaching those numbers again this season. Colston is unlikely to improve too much this season, but if you are looking for a solid producer, Colston is a safe pick in fantasy leagues.
