Saints Free Agent Options for Training Camp

When the New Orleans Saints released C Billy Price with an injury settlement earlier this week, it created an open roster spot. The Saints have 89 of their 90 roster spots filled before veterans report for training camp on July 25.

According to Overthecap.com, the Saints had approximately $13.3 million dollars of available salary cap space before signing rookie second-round pick Isaiah Foskey earlier this week.

The Saints may not fill their last remaining roster spot before veterans report on Tuesday, but we should expect them to do so early in training camp. Here are some of the positions to watch with the best players still available.

RUNNING BACK

• Kareem Hunt (age = 27)

• Kenyan Drake (29)

• Leonard Fournette (28)

• Royce Freeman (27)

• Marlon Mack (27)

• Benny Snell (25)

• J.D. McKissic (29)

The NFL has not officially announced a suspension for RB Alvin Kamara yet, but it's inevitable. New Orleans prepared for this over the offseason, along with vastly improving their depth, by signing Jamaal Williams in free agency and drafting Kendre Miller with a third-round choice.

If a Kamara suspension happens to start the season, as expected, then New Orleans may look to bring in another back early in camp to get acclimated with their system. With Williams and Miller expected to shoulder the load, another back would be added just for veteran stability.

Also noteworthy is the fact that Kendre Miller starts training camp on the non-football injury list. He's expected to be ready early in camp from a knee injury suffered late last season with TCU. However, a delay in Miller's rehab could also increase the urgency for another capable back.

OFFENSIVE LINE

• Pat Elflein, C/G (age = 29)

• Dalton Risner, G (28)

• Max Garcia, G/C (31)

• Trai Turner, G (30)

• Rodney Hudson, C/G (34)

• Gabe Jackson, G (32)

• Michael Schofield, G/T (32)

The Saints signed Billy Price to supply veteran experience for the interior of their offensive line. Now that he's released, and the fact that rookie G/T Nick Saldiveri is starting camp on the PUP list, they may look to fill this spot again. It's far easier to pick up a capable guard or center at this stage than a tackle.

It's no secret that G Andrus Peat has had an injury-prone career. Remember that G Cesar Ruiz also missed the end of last year with a foot injury. Center Erik McCoy has also missed some time over the last two years because of injuries.

The Saints have capable replacements in G/T James Hurst and Calvin Throckmorton, but it's clear that they wanted some extra insurance at the spot this offseason. Additionally, Hurst is also expected to be the team’s primary backup at both tackle spots, which further thins interior depth if he needs to step in for Trevor Penning or Ryan Ramczyk.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

• Shelby Harris (age = 31)

• Michael Brockers (32)

• Chris Wormley (29)

• Akiem Hicks (34)

• Maurice Hurst (28)

• Ndamukong Suh (36)

• Mike Pennel (32)

• Linval Joseph (34)

• Albert Huggins (26)

The Saints revamped a defensive tackle position that disappointed in 2021 and was abysmal last season. Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders were signed in free agency, while Bryan Bresee was drafted with a first-round pick.

New Orleans defensive tackles were responsible for just 14.5 of the team’s 94 sacks the last two years. Worse yet, their putrid performance against the run was the primary reason that the Saints plummeted to 24th in that category last season.

Bresee, Shepherd, and Saunders will be the key to a rebuilt unit. However, the Saints have only Malcolm Roach, UDFA Jerron Cage, and XFL signee Jack Heflin for depth. Don't be surprised if New Orleans looks for a situational interior pass rusher or early down run stuffer for the rotation.

DEFENSIVE END

• Yannick Ngakoue (age =28)

• Jadeveon Clowney (30)

• Robert Quinn (33)

• William Gholston (31)

• Matthew Ioannidis (29)

• Carl Nassib (30)

• Stephen Weatherly (29)

• Melvin Ingram (34)

• Justin Houston (34)

Foskey, along with the underrated Carl Granderson, are expected to replace the departed Marcus Davenport opposite of Cam Jordan. Also factoring in is versatile Tanoh Kpassagnon and potential 2021 draft bust Payton Turner. You can never have too many pass rushers, and the Saints ranked near the bottom of the league in QB pressures despite an impressive 48 sacks.

Davenport was a disappointment and easy target for criticism from fans, but flashed a disruptive presence opposite of Jordan. It's critical that Foskey and Granderson do this consistently to allow the 34-year-old Jordan to remain most effective.

New Orleans has their starters, which likely rules out mercenaries Ngakoue and Clowney. However, a rotational pass rusher makes sense here. Especially if Turner continues to be a colossal disappointment as a former first-round choice.

LINEBACKER

• Kwon Alexander (age = 28)

• Rashaan Evans (27)

• Deion Jones (28)

• Myles Jack (27)

• Zach Cunningham

• Anthony Barr (31)

• Micah Kiser (28)

• Damien Wilson (30)

The Saints have one of the NFL's best tandem of linebackers in Demario Davis and Pete Werner. However, Davis is entering his 12th season and Werner has missed some time with injuries over his first two years. There is no proven depth behind them after Kaden Elliss departed as a free agent.

Davis and Werner are an outstanding duo and major keys to the defense. However, the emergence of Elliss in 2022 made the entire unit more disruptive.

New Orleans is giving Zack Baun and D'Marco Jackson the first cracks at the #3 LB spot. Special teamer Andrew Dowell, along with undrafted rookies Anfernee Orji and Nick Anderson could also be factors. If the Saints don't like the results early on in camp, then they'd be wise to quickly bring in at least one of these accomplished vets who have the ability to shoulder the massive responsibilities the Saints expect from their linebackers.

SAFETY

• P.J. Williams (age = 30)

• John Johnson (27)

• Juston Burris (29)

This is an area where New Orleans was extremely active this offseason. Starters Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye return and are expected to be far better in their second years with the team. The Saints also spent a fifth-round choice on Jordan Howden and signed free agents Lonnie Johnson, Jonathan Abram, and Ugo Amadi to compete with Smoke Monday and J.T. Gray.

Remember that Maye could be facing a league suspension for DUI charges from two years ago. Johnson and Howden are more suited for the slot, Monday is unproven, Abram has limited range and is a liability in coverage, while Gray and Amadi are special teamers.

Williams knows the New Orleans defense well. The Saints are trying to replicate his versatility with Howden and Johnson. John Johnson and Burris are more traditional deep safeties that could fill in for Maye if he's suspended, allowing Mathieu to roam a bit more for the defense.