We’ve got a better idea of which positions the New Orleans Saints should reinforce after two preseason games and a month of training camp practices, but time is running out with roster cuts looming a week away — and the start of the regular season sitting just beyond that.
And, as always in the NFL, it all starts in the trenches for the Saints. Their pass rush has been erratic throughout the summer and poor depth along the offensive line is a problem that isn’t going away. There are other areas of need, but those should be top priority. It’s possible that young guys can continue to develop and overcome those concerns, but the Saints have enough resources and high standards that shouldn’t let them feeling content about who they have in the building.
New Orleans has been proactive in bringing in veteran backups like linebacker Jaylon Smith, safety Johnathan Abram, running back Darell Williams, and wide receiver/returns specialist Lynn Bowden Jr. That same enterprising approach should extend to other positions.
The latest estimates from Over The Cap give the Saints $11.3 million to spend on fine-tuning their team, and none of these players would break the bank. With that in mind, here’s a quick list of veteran free agents who make a lot of sense for what the Saints still need to build this team: