Cowboys 2024 opponent preview: X-factors for the New Orleans Saints

There are some underrated players who the Cowboys will see in Week 2.

We’re continuing our series of X-factors for Dallas Cowboys opponents this year. Next up is the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys will take on New Orleans in Week 2. A team in transition, the Saints are forging a new identity for the franchise after Drew Brees’s retirement and Sean Payton’s departure. Led by Dennis Allen and bolstered by the 2023 free agent addition of Derek Carr, the Saints are poised to make a mark in the competitive NFC South division, which is up for grabs after their near miss of the playoffs last season.

Opponent: New Orleans Saints

2023 record: 9-8 (2nd place in the NFC South)

Date(s) on the schedule: Week 2, Sept 15th

Rashid Shaheed, Wide receiver/return specialist

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Rashid Shaheed has the potential to be a thorn in the Cowboy’s side in various ways, first, as a returner. Shaheed has been a standout on special reams for most of his career, earning four All-American honors as a returner at Weber State. Last season, Shaheed was elected an All-Pro return specialist after totaling 725 return yards and one score. It was reported that Shaheed ran a 4.3 as a prospect, and watching him play, it certainly shows. As a receiver, Shaheed could be even more impactful. The Saints parted ways with Michael Thomas this offseason and Shaheed should assume a more integral role in the Saints’ offense. Shaheed’s exceptional speed and the vertical tendencies of Derek Carr, combined with the potential impact of the Saints’ number-one receiver, Chris Olave, are pairings that the Cowboys must prepare for.

Juwan Johnson, Tight end

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Juwan Johnson is a deep sleeper to be an X-factor. Understandably, he has taken a backseat to the other weapons in the Saints offense, especially behind Taysom Hill, who can almost do it all as an offensive weapon. Johnson recently underwent a procedure on his foot but could be back by Week 2 of the regular season. His unpredictability as a receiving option makes Johnson a wild card against the Cowboys. Johnson is somewhere in between a wide receiver and a tight end. At 6’4”, 231 lbs. with adequate speed, he can outrun linebackers but has enough size and strength to elevate over and be physical with defensive backs. Johnson has yet to take that next leap in his career fully but is still a threat to score with 15 touchdowns over the last three seasons. The Cowboys have fared well against tight ends recently, allowing the third-fewest yards to tight ends last season, but with a new defensive coordinator and the departure of Jayron Kearse, things aren’t guaranteed to pick up where they left off.

Paulson Adebo, Cornerback

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Like Martin Emerson in our first X-factor article in the series, Paulson Adebo is overshadowed by a household name at cornerback, this time Marshon Lattimore of the Saints. Adebo is an intelligent cornerback with terrific skills playing the football through the receiver. Entering his fourth NFL season, Adebo has had an up-and-down trajectory, but 2023 was his best season as a pro. He set a career-high in interceptions (4) and pass breakups with 18 on the season. Further adding fuel to Adebo’s fire could be the motivation for a contract season. Adebo is in the final year of his rookie contract, but the Saints also drafted his possible replacement in Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round of April’s draft. Expect Adebo to have something to prove to the Saints and NFL front offices leaguewide, especially in a matchup against CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys wide receivers.

Previous X-factor recaps:

Week 1, Cleveland Browns