Saints Remaining Free Agents

New Orleans has been active at the onset of free agency. Here's a list of their remaining in-house free agents that they could bring back for depth.

Author:
Bob Rose
Updated:
Mar 17, 2023 9:50 AM EDT
Original:
Mar 16, 2023

In this story:

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints have been surprisingly active in the opening days of free agency. New Orleans made the biggest acquisition prior to the start of the signing period when they inked QB Derek Carr to a lucrative four-year deal after his release from the Raiders. On the first official day to sign outside free agents, they reeled in DT Nathan Shepherd, DT Khalen Saunders, and RB Jamaal Williams.

Prior to the start of free agency, the Saints did a great job of working out contracts with their own players. Restructured or reworked deals to Marcus Maye, Erik McCoy, Ryan Ramczyk, Wil Lutz, Tyrann Mathieu, Demario Davis, Cam Jordan, Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore, Andrus Peat, Jameis Winston, and Michael Thomas saved the team a ton of salary cap space. New Orleans also re-signed pending free agents Calvin Throckmorton, Tanoh Kpassagnon, J.T. Gray, and Juwan Johnson.

The Saints may not be done. There are still depth concerns at some positions that will be addressed in the draft, but could also be dealt with in free agency. They also have some of their own in-house free agents that could be brought back. Here are the remaining New Orleans free agents.

OFFENSE

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram II (22) rushes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

• Jarvis Landry, WR (age 30)

• Marquez Callaway, WR (24)

• Mark Ingram, RB (33)

• David Johnson, RB (31)

The signing of Jamaal Williams addresses one of the team’s biggest problems of 2022, a bona-fide backfield threat to complement Kamara. Johnson certainly wasn't the answer. Neither was Ingram, a franchise great who was well past his prime and dealing with a knee injury. The Saints still need depth at running back, but it seems more likely that it'll come through the draft.

After 7 receptions for 114 yards in the season opener, Landry missed eight games and had just 18 catches for 158 yards in his other eight contests. The limited Callaway was an afterthought in a receiving corps desperate for playmakers. It's possible that one of these wideouts are back for depth, but it wouldn't be until later in free agency if they're still available.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

New Orleans Saints cornerback Bradley Roby (21) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

• Kentavius Street, DT (26)

• Malcolm Roach, DT (24)

• Albert Huggins, DT (25)

• Andrew Dowell, LB (26)

• Bradley Roby, CB (30)

• P.J. Williams, S/CB (29)

• Justin Evans, S (27)

• Daniel Sorensen, S (33)

• Blake Gillikin, P (25)

The Saints are revamping their defensive tackle corps. Less than 24 hours after losing free-agent tackles David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle, they inked DTs Shepherd and Saunders. They'll still need to continue upgrading the position, but that may come through the draft.

Depth might not come from Roach, who reportedly turned down a two-year offer to test the market. There's been no word about any interest in Street, who had a nice season in 2022 after coming over from the 49ers.

The Saints have a trio of shutdown corners in Lattimore, Alontae Taylor, and Paulson Adebo. However, Roby was a valuable defender last season when injuries ravaged the position. He might be brought back on a cheap deal and can cover the slot or outside.

Slot coverage and safety depth are two areas that need addressed. P.J. Williams can check off both boxes. Williams has re-signed a one-year contract for the last four years and is certainly a candidate to do so again after testing the market.

Evans got off to a strong start in his first action since 2018 because of injury, but faded badly by mid-season. Sorensen adds valuable experience, but is a major liability in coverage. Both could be back, but probably only after the draft if upgrades aren't found.

New Orleans had rare stability at punter for 12 years with Thomas Morstead. Gillikin looked to be an ideal replacement after a terrific 2021 campaign. He didn't have a poor year in 2022, but showed concerning inconsistencies. The Saints may bring him back, but expect competition at the position.