New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and converted his sole extra point try in Week 15. Grupe was good from 41 and 51 yards away and he is now 14-for-16 from 40 or more yards out. It was an encouraging effort after his 0-for-2 showing in Week 14. Despite the rebound, Grupe is not a recommended start in Week 16 when the Saints take on the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. The weather at Lambeau Field is expected to be wet, windy, and cold, which is far from ideal for a kicker used to kicking in the optimal conditions provided by a domed stadium. Pass on Grupe this week but keep an eye on his availability as he may be useful in Week 17 when New Orleans faces the Las Vegas Raiders.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) was limited in practice to start the week but participated in full on Saturday. He carries no designation going into the team's game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday. Chris Olave (concussion), Bub Means (ankle), and Alvin Kamara (groin) are out and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) is listed as questionable, leaving the Saints light on offense. This could translate to a bigger day than usual for Johnson. The Packers' defense ranks in the bottom ten in receptions, receiving yards, and fantasy points per game allowed to opposing tight ends. Unfortunately, Johnson's upside is in doubt with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler filling in for Derek Carr (hand). When Carr missed three weeks earlier this season, Johnson averaged 4.3 targets, three catches, and 38 yards per game with Rattler under center. Johnson projects to be a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE2 for Week 16.

With so many injuries to the New Orleans Saints wide receiver room, Kevin Austin Jr. might be the team's next primary pass-catcher. Chris Olave (concussion) has yet to clear the concussion protocol and Bub Means (ankle) is facing a potentially season-ending setback, both of whom have been listed as out. Joining them on the injury report this week is Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness), who is questionable for Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers. This leaves Austin, along with Cedrick Wilson Jr., Dante Pettis, and Mason Tipton as the only healthy wide receivers on the Saints. Over the Saints' last four games, Austin has been second in snaps at the position only to Valdes-Scantling. Unfortunately, Austin's ascension up the depth chart coincides with a Spencer Rattler start due to Derek Carr's (hand) Week 14 injuries forcing him out for another game, which will limit Austin's already low ceiling. In five games on the Saints' active roster, Austin has eight catches for 98 yards on 15 targets.

The New Orleans Saints have decided to keep wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) on the sidelines for at least one more week. New Orleans opened his window for activation from injured reserve on Thursday but Olave has yet to complete his progress through the league's concussion protocol. He is listed as out on the team's official injury report ahead of their Week 16 game against the Green Bay Packers. Olave was placed on injured reserve after suffering his second concussion of the season in Week 9, which took place just three weeks after his previous concussion. It was the fourth such injury in the 24-year-old's three years as a pro. In comments to the media, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said of Olave's potential return, "If he can make it back for the end of the year, great. If he doesn't, he doesn't," indicating the team is in no rush to bring him back in 2024.

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller should operate as the team's primary option out of the backfield in Week 16. Lead running back Alvin Kamara (groin) exited last week's game against the Commanders and was later diagnosed with an adductor injury and did not practice at all this week. After Kamara's early departure in the fourth quarter, Miller took over the backfield getting eight carries before the end of the game. He finished with a total of nine rushes for 46 yards. The second-year man out of TCU appears to have leapfrogged veteran Jamaal Williams, who saw just four offensive snaps against Washington. Even though Miller is suddenly the top dog in New Orleans, it may not translate to fantasy success on Monday night when the Saints face Green Bay. Over the last four weeks, the Packers have held opposing running backs to the eighth-fewest rushing yards and a league-leading 3.46 yards per carry. Miller projects as a high-end RB3 in Week 16.