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With NFL free agency nearly a month away, we are going to take a look at every team’s free agents in the days ahead. We will highlight which players could be potential options for the New Orleans Saints from every other team, with today highlighting the Atlanta Falcons. We’ll survey the Baltimore Ravens tomorrow, and the Buffalo Bills on Monday, following the list in alphabetical order. Here’s who the Saints could target from our archrivals:
- DE Vic Beasley (UFA)
- DT Jack Crawford (UFA)
- P Matt Bosher (UFA)
- DE Adrian Clayborn (UFA)
- QB Matt Schaub (Club Option)
- WR Justin Hardy (UFA)
- CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (UFA)
- SS Kemal Ishmael (UFA)
- DT Tyeler Davison (UFA)
- FS J.J. Wilcox (UFA)
- DE Steven Means (UFA)
- RB Kenjon Barner (UFA)
- FB Kevin Smith (UFA)
- SS John Cyprien (UFA)
- P Ryan Allen (UFA)
- CB Jamar Taylor (UFA)
- TE Austin Hooper (UFA)
- DE Ra’Shede Hageman (UFA)
- OLB De’Vondre Campbell (UFA)
- G John Wetzel (UFA)
- S Sharrod Neasman (UFA)
- QB Matt Simms (RFA)
- BT Michael Bennett (RFA)
- K Younghoe Koo (RFA)
- C Wes Schweitzer (UFA)
- RB Brian Hill (RFA)
- G Sean Harlow (ERFA)
Atlanta actually has 27 free agents this offseason, two more than the Arizona Cardinals we did yesterday. While there are quite a few options that the Falcons put on the marketplace, only a few will be intriguing to the Saints.
Again, New Orleans could potentially be in the market for additional depth at guard, wide receiver, linebacker, and tight end.
Vic Beasley is the most obvious option for the Saints, but the 27-year old will be highly coveted by nearly every team that needs help along the defensive line. Beasley played in all 16 games for the Falcons, and averaged 73% of the defensive snaps. The defensive end had a down year in 2019. PFF graded him out a 58.9, which could potentially affect his value on the open market. However, he could command a price that the Saints are unwilling to meet.
The only other real option that New Orleans could pursue to make an upgrade to the current squad is tight end Austin Hooper. At just 25-years old, Hooper has solidified himself as one of the best tight ends in the game. While his price tag would be incredibly high, it could be worth it for the Saints to kick the tires on. New Orleans’ offense is heavily reliant on pass catching tight ends, and Hooper represents some of the best of that in the league despite his young age.
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