Drew Brees is an icon in New Orleans. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2001, but struggled through injuries and failed to really shine. In 2006, Brees signed with the Saints after tearing his labrum against the Denver Broncos in the final game of the 2005 season. Brees became a hero in New Orleans as both a footballing giant and as a human being; his Brees Dream Foundation was part of the recovery effort. He gets paid to play football, and boy can Drew Brees play. He inspired the Saints to a championship win in the Super Bowl after the 2009 season - their first and only appearance in the big game - and even took home Super Bowl MVP honours. Brees holds the NFL record for most career passing yards with 74,437 and highest career completion rate with 67.3% - particularly impressive as the QB is about to enter his nineteenth campaign. He has been named First-team All-Pro once, Second-team All-Pro four times, and to the Pro Bowl twelve times. The Hall of Fame awaits.

first overall

Head Coach: Sean Payton

Sean Payton took over as Saints head coach in 2006, bringing Brees and success to the football team. He turned the Saints around from 3-13 in 2005 to 10-6, and was named AP Coach of the Year in his first season. Payton is the second-longest serving coach in the league behind Belichick, and has the most wins of any Saints head coach. Payton has built a team in New Orleans that can challenge for the championship, and perhaps would have reached the Super Bowl but for a shocking missed call by the referees. With Brees now 40 years old, Payton will be desperate to cash in and win with the Saints in 2019.

Offensive Player to Watch: Alvin Kamara

Kamara is one of the most explosive players in the NFL and has become a fan favourite in New Orleans. Upon being drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Kamara formed part of a two-headed beast in the Saints backfield alongside fellow running back Mark Ingram - now of the Baltimore Ravens. Kamara was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Second-team All-Pro in a very impressive debut campaign. In his first two seasons, Alvin Kamara has rushed for 1,611 yards and had 1,535 yards receiving and has scored 32 total touchdowns. Now paired with Latavious Murray behind Brees, Kamara will be a constant headache for opposition defenses throughout 2019.