Saints Free Agents Who Might Have Earned A Bigger Pay Day
As we turn the page on another Saints season, as disappointing as the result was, Mickey Loomis and Dennis Allen are going to face many questions this offseason. One of those is in regards to their free agents, who we took a first glimpse at recently. Here's a few players who might have helped their case in getting a little bit more money from New Orleans or another team who might be interested.
Andrus Peat
Nov 5, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Andrus Peat (75) blocks Chicago Bears defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Peat was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2023 for the Saints, being one of the more consistent offensive lineman for New Orleans. It's crazy to think he was an afterthought in training camp and such, but with Trevor Penning not developing the way the team wanted, Peat moved to the left tackle spot and the Saints have never looked back.
Peat's contract situation will be something to keep an eye on here, as the team added void years to his deal and will have some financial commitments if they can't retain him. He'll turn 31 in November and appeared in 16 games, starting in 12 of them.
Zack Baun
Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun (53) forces Carolina Panthers to throw the ball away during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
It took a while, but the Saints finally figured out how to best use Zack Baun aside his normal special teams role. While he is a key contributor for Darren Rizzi's kicking teams, he's now been a strong addition to the rush packages New Orleans has. What's interesting for Baun's outlook is whether the Saints give him a decent bump to stay or if a 3-4 team sees what he's been able to do and give him more for the potential.
The Saints have at least four linebackers approaching free agency, while another concern is there for Nephi Sewell after his ACL injury. Baun would be an important piece to the puzzle, but assessing the market value for him will be interesting.
Isaac Yiadom
Oct 1, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27) celebrates an inception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
At the beginning of training camp, Dennis Allen said that the Saints had a strong group at the corner position and that several of the players could start there. As the season played out, we saw exactly who he meant in Isaac Yiadom. New Orleans has had to rely on the veteran a good bit in 2023, and he's responded fairly well. Yiadom and Joe Woods had previous ties together, and it came as no surprise to him that he would do well here.
What's interesting about the Saints corner situation is from what NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill reported on Marshon Lattimore's contract. He has an option clause, which could spark some trade talks. A new team would take on the $11 million bonus if they acquired him. We'll see how things play out, but this could be a way the Saints think. Lattimore's availability hasn't been there for the past two seasons, but those injuries came from friendly fire and also having to compensate for someone else's assignment.
Rashid Shaheed
Oct 8, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) reacts after making a first down during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Classified as an Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA), Shaheed technically just has a 'take it or leave it' option when it comes to an offer at the three-year veteran minimum active salary, but New Orleans could and should do the right thing and give him a bump. The former undrafted rookie has been an electrifying presence as a return man and has also been strong in the receiving department during his second season. He also was the lone Saints representation for the Pro Bowl too.
Shaheed finished 2023's campaign with 46 receptions for 719 yards and 5 touchdowns in his 15 games played, being targeted 75 times. He'll most assuredly be a big part of the offensive attack next season with Derek Carr at the helm.
Honorable Mention: Malcolm Roach
Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Malcolm Roach (97) pumps up the fans for the Who Dat chant to start the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Malcolm Roach landed on injured reserve after hurting his knee against the Lions in Week 13. He looked strong in training camp and was making at least one play each week from the interior. A cool stat from Pro Football Focus in his favor is that he has a 16.7% run stop percentage rate since Week 10, which was first in the NFL. He finished appearing in 37% of the defensive snaps (290) in his 12 games played.
It might not be crazy money for the Baton Rouge native, but he could be up for a bigger bump or bigger role if another team looks his way. He reportedly got a two-year offer from New Orleans last offseason and is a solid run defender.
