STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

Despite last year's disappointment, there's reason for optimism entering 2015. The Saints re-signed running back Mark Ingram, who finally broke through in 2014, running with power and even flashing a decent pair of hands. Last year's first-round draft pick Brandin Cooks also returns after his debut season was cut short by a broken thumb that limited him to 10 games. The timing of the ailment was unfortunate, as Cooks was just starting to emerge as a deep threat for the team, averaging over 14 yards per catch in the four contests before his injury.

The Saints also did some major housecleaning this offseason. Gone is longtime running back Pierre Thomas; ditto linebacker Curtis Lofton. The team also waved goodbye to veteran offensive linemen Ben Grubbs and Jonathan Goodwin, as well as frustrating cornerbacks Corey White and Patrick Robinson.

The most surprising moves came via trade, as the Saints dealt All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham to Seattle and up-and-coming wide receiver Kenny Stills to Miami. In return for Graham, the Saints acquired Pro Bowl center Max Unger and a first-round pick, which was used to select linebacker Stephone Anthony, a potential replacement for Lofton. The Saints further fortified their interior by drafting Stanford offensive lineman Andrus Peat with their own first-round pick. Not yet finished, the Saints also signed cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Kyle Wilson, and acquired a shiny new toy for Brees, in playmaking running back C.J. Spiller.

The additions of Unger and Peat, along with the re-signing of Mark Ingram, appear to indicate a desire to change the team's offensive identity to a more run-based attack. Spiller should once again give New Orleans the type of explosive backfield threat that head coach Sean Payton has used so creatively and effectively in the past. Yet, the Stills trade leaves more questions than answers, and while it's clear the team is betting that Brees made Graham, and not the other way around, Graham's departure undeniably hurts. No team had a more interesting offseason than New Orleans, but it remains to be seen if its transaction-happy ways have cured what ailed the team last year.

OFFSEASON MOVES

Key Acquisitions

Brandon Browner – CB, Patriots
Upgrading the secondary was an offseason priority to ensure opposing QBs can't simply avoid Keenan Lewis.

Stephone Anthony – LB, Clemson (ROUND 1, 31st Overall)
A productive athlete in college, he'll immediately compete for a starting position.

Garrett Grayson – QB, Colorado State (ROUND 3, 75th Overall)
The heir apparent to Brees' throne but likely a third-stringer in 2015.

Key Losses

Pierre Thomas – RB, FA
A fan favorite but he underwhelmed in 2014.

Kenny Stills – WR, Dolphins
His numbers improved in his second season, but he was traded away in a head-scratching move.

Curtis Lofton – LB, Raiders
A tackle machine and a leader of the defense but was another salary cap casualty.

TEAM NOTES

CAN Mark Ingram STIFF-ARM HIS COMPETITION
Setting career highs in carries (226), rushing yards (964) and touchdowns (9), Ingram started to live up to his considerable hype as a former Heisman Trophy winner. With the release of Pierre Thomas this offseason and Saints coaches touting a renewed emphasis on the running game, many are predicting Ingram to exceed or, at the very least, replicate last year's success. Yet, C.J. Spiller was added to be a pass-catching threat, and history suggests that the Saints are still likely to employ a committee approach at running back with bruiser Khiry Robinson still around. In fact, the biggest three-game stretch of Ingram's career, in which he gained 392 yards in Weeks 8-to-10 last year, occurred only when Robinson was shelved with an arm injury. Ingram isn't immune to injury himself. He has missed, on average, 3.5 games per season over his four-year career. The money the Saints paid to re-sign Ingram this offseason indicates that he'll be the workhorse in the team's backfield, but there are plenty of reasons to question whether he can maintain his momentum.

THE REPLACEMENTS
Though he struggled through the worst full season of his professional career, Marques Colston has a lock on one of the starting receiver positions. Brandin Cooks likely will lay claim to the other. The bigger question, however, is who will emerge as the third wide receiver threat? Fourth-year pro Nick Toon seemingly has the first shot, as he came on strong at the end of last season. But don't count out explosive playmaker Joseph Morgan, on his last chance with the Saints, or veteran Josh Morgan. Finally, given the Saints' history of unearthing undrafted gems, it would be remiss not to mention two sizeable finds from last season, Brandon Coleman and Seantavius Jones. At 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-3, respectively, Coleman and Jones could be intriguing red zone threats if either is able to crack the lineup.

VALUE METER

Declining: The loss of Jimmy Graham takes away another playmaker from Drew Brees, whose 33 touchdowns in 2014 were already his fewest since 2010.

Sleeper: The Saints love to throw it to the tight end, and with Jimmy Graham gone, former undrafted free agent Josh Hill could help fill the void.

Supersleeper: The Saints elected not to acquire a marquee wideout this offseason, signaling their faith in fourth-year pro Nick Toon, who is penciled in as the team's third wide receiver.

IDP WATCH

Junior Galette – LB
Notched double-digit sacks in both 2013 and 2014, but a pectoral injury could hamper the pass-rushing specialist.

Kenny Vaccaro – S
Inconsistency and immaturity plagued him in 2014 but the third-year pro is undeniably talented.