3 Saints Players Who Surprised Fans in a Big Way This Season

The New Orleans Saints lost their Hall of Fame quarterback for a third of the season and saw star running back Alvin Kamara regress. Even with all of that, this team is 12-3 and currently has a chance at locking up home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

Sean Payton and New Orleans wouldn't have gotten here without incredible seasons from these three stars on the offensive side of the ball.

3. QB/WR/RB Taysom Hill

New Orleans Saints QB Taysom Hill / Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Last year, Hill was more of a novelty, considering a "quarterback" wearing No. 7 and running routes, punt protecting on special teams, and returning kicks was more funny than it was impactful. This year, Hill is an indispensable part of the Saints offense, catching five touchdown passes while running for one more and totaling over 400 yards from scrimmage. While playing on both punts and kickoffs, Hill's value continues to soar with each passing game.

2. TE Jared Cook

New Orleans Saints TE Jared Cook / Chris Graythen/Getty Images

For as legendary designers of offense as Payton and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael are, tight ends are rarely a focal point of the passing game. Cook has changed all that this season, as his 661 yards and eight touchdown catches rank second on the team behind the unbelievable Michael Thomas. Cook was an indispensable safety blanket over the middle for Brees this season, and the veteran tight end is in the middle of the best two-year stretch of his entire career down between 2018's stint with the Raiders and 2019 down in the SuperDome.

1. QB Teddy Bridgewater

New Orleans Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater / Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

After the Saints lost to the Rams and Drew Brees hurt his hand, most figured they would be dead and buried with Bridgewater at quarterback. All Teddy did was win all five of his starts, completing 68% of his passes and throwing nine touchdowns against just two interceptions in the process. Bridgewater, who beat teams like the Seahawks, Cowboys and Bears in that stretch, moved from a nice story of perseverance that settled into a backup role to a tremendous quarterback post-injury that could be starting somewhere next year.