Pierre Thomas is the top fantasy football running back for the New Orleans Saints this season and names like Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson are also starter options for owners this year and that is a big question for this offense and Drew Brees heading into 2014 and for fantasy owners looking for some surprises or sleeper picks, Brandin Cooks, Kenny Stills and Joseph Morgan could be solid draft options heading into the season.
The Saints are a tough team in fantasy football apart from Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham, as they use plenty of personnel in their offensive sets. The team obviously is one of the best offensive teams in the league, but they have three running backs that could be potential starters in fantasy along with a slew of receivers that could put up big numbers. Pierre Thomas is the player to keep an eye on and fantasy owners should handcuff him with Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson, as they are expected to get plenty of touches this season as well.
Thomas comes in after Darren Sproles was traded and he had a massive year in 2013, making a career high 77 receptions for 513 yards, making him very valuable in PPR leagues. Thomas is a solid runner and he had 549 yards last season and could be adding more to that total. The Saints likely will use all three players in each game, but Thomas is the main feature back of the trio. Ingram had a couple breakout games last season, while the Saints like Robinson enough to have traded Darren Sproles to the Eagles.
Ingram has the chance to be a sleeper this year if he can work on his game out of the backfield and he should get more goal line opportunities as well this year. Ingram had a massive game against the Cowboys last season and while he finished with just 386 yards in 11 games last season, he should be getting more touches this year. Ingram has dealt with injuries in the past and his biggest issue for the season could be simply staying healthy.
Robinson is a major sleeper this season and part of that is the fact that Ingram has dealt with injuries in the past. Robinson is a player the team is high on and that is why the Saints felt okay with trading Darren Sproles, as they expect Robinson to step up big. Robinson is not a threat so much out of the backfield, but he will be a main run option for the Saints and he could rack up yards this season and could be very valuable if he adds a little receiving skills to the mix. Last season he had 224 yards on 54 attempts with a 4.1 yards per carry and now he could be a breakout player.
Brandin Cooks and Kenny Stills are also strong sleepers this season, as Brees and the Saints pass so much and Stills comes in after putting up solid numbers last season. Brandin Cooks has the chance to be the best rookie performer, as he has the speed to excel here. Cooks played very well at Oregon State and he knows what a pro style offense is like and he comes in after making over 120 catches last season and with his speed, he could be an explosive player for New Orleans.