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Where could the New Orleans Saints look for improvements when free agency kicks off in March? Their search for upgrades will lead them throughout the NFL, including the rosters of conference rivals like the Los Angeles Rams. Here’s the list of Rams free agents set to hit the open market:
- CB Nickell Robey-Coleman (Club Option)
- DE Dante Fowler Jr.
- DE Morgan Fox (RFA)
- DT Michael Brockers
- K Greg Zuerlein
- LB Cory Littleton
- LB Bryce Hager
- LB Josh Carraway (ERFA)
- OC Coleman Shelton (ERFA)
- OG Austin Blythe
- OT Andrew Whitworth
- OT Kyle Murphy
- QB Blake Bortles
- SS Donte Deayon (RFA)
- SS Marqui Christian
- TE Johnny Mundt (ERFA)
- WR Jojo Natson (RFA)
- WR Mike Thomas
Of this group, Littleton is clearly the best prospect headed for free agency. He earned his stripes on special teams before proving himself a valuable defender, racking up a statline that includes 5 interceptions (22 total passes defensed), 2 forced fumbles (4 recoveries), 15 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks and 9 quarterback hits the last two years, along with 259 combined tackles. He’ll be one of the top earners in free agency and would be a tremendous compliment to Demario Davis, but is probably well outside the Saints’ price range.
A more affordable free agency target may be Blythe, a versatile starter with experience at both guard and center. The Saints could use a new starter at left guard and Blythe would make sense as competition for (or as an alternative to) Nick Easton. He shouldn’t command as large a contract as other guards on the market, including two-time Pro Bowl alternate Andrus Peat.
Lastly: is Bortles condemned to hold a clipboard for the rest of his career? If so, the Saints could do worse in pursuit of a backup quarterback (remember the summer of Tom Savage?). By no means should Bortles ever be expected to take the field, and it’s valid to think that disqualifies him, but the fact is the Saints could use someone with starter’s experience between Drew Brees and Taysom Hill. Maybe Bortles’ turnover-riddled starting experience could be instructive for Hill as an example of how not to play the position.
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