2020 free agency teams previews – Page 2

2020 NFL Free Agency: Could Saints poach Vikings fullback C.J. Ham?

The New Orleans Saints will evaluate all pending free agents, including Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham, a restricted free agent.

[jwplayer rXjlHeyd-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints are going to be on the hunt for upgrades when NFL free agency begins in just a few weeks, searching all throughout the league for players who can help them remain in Super Bowl contention. That means evaluating every possible addition — including players from the conference-rival Minnesota Vikings, who have dealt the Saints painful playoffs exits in two of the last three years. Here’s who may be available:

CB Trae Waynes
CB Mackensie Alexander
CB Marcus Sherels
DE Everson Griffen
DE Stephen Weatherly
FB C.J. Ham (RFA)
K Dan Bailey
LB Kentrell Brothers
LB Eric Wilson (RFA)
OC Brett Jones
OG Rashod Hill
OT Dakota Dozier
P Britton Colquitt
QB Sean Mannion
RB Ameer Abdullah
SS Jayron Kearse
SS Anthony Harris
SS Andrew Sendejo
WR Laquon Treadwell

The number-one target on this list should be Ham, which is difficult because he’s a restricted free agent. Hypothetically speaking, the Vikings can match any contract offers Ham receives, or even ward off suitors with a second- or first-round tender. But if they go with the lowest level option (Minnesota is, for once, working close to the salary cap), the Saints should be all in on Ham. He was one of two fullbacks to play more often than Zach Line (who retired) last year, along with San Francisco 49ers chess-piece Kyle Jusczyk. Line was also once a Vikings standout before the Saints bagged him, and they would do well to pursue Ham if he’s available.

He’s not someone they should sign, but the Saints should closely monitor the interest and contract offers that Anthony Harris gets in free agency. He was one of the few free safeties to intercept more passes (6) than Marcus Williams (4) last season and is projected to earn $13.8 million per year on his next contract. That should set the market for Williams, whose contract expires after the 2020 season.

But let’s circle back to players the Saints should have an interest in signing. They need bodies at cornerback, and both Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander offer starter’s experience at an easier-to-justify rates than Patrick Robinson’s $6.25 million cap hit. Alexander and Waynes are each projected to reel in $8.4 million per year, which could make them attractive options if Robinson is cut (or if negotiations fall apart with Janoris Jenkins over his $11.25 million cap hit, despite him clearly being the best prospect of the bunch).

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28660]

2020 NFL Free Agency: Best possible Dolphins targets for the Saints

The Miami Dolphins will have little to offer other teams in free agency, but Aqib Talib might make sense for the New Orleans Saints.

[jwplayer V8F9GkDd-ThvAeFxT]

The Miami Dolphins figure to be big players in both free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft, meaning the New Orleans Saints could lack for options to sign away from Miami in search of upgrades. But the cupboard isn’t totally bare, and several Dolphins free agents could catch the Saints’ attention. Here’s the full list of players set to hit the open market:

CB Aqib Talib
DE Trent Harris (ERFA)
DT John Jenkins
DT Kendrick Norton (ERFA)
FS Walt Aikens
FS Adrian Colbert (ERFA)
LB Vince Biegel (RFA)
LB Deon Lacey (RFA)
LB Chase Allen (RFA)
OG Evan Boehm
OT J’Marcus Webb
P Matt Haack (RFA)
TE Clive Walford
WR Trevor Davis
WR Isaiah Ford (ERFA)

Talib missed most of the 2019 season with a rib injury, and he’s on the back end of his career at 34. But he could be worth a look for the cornerback-needy Saints. Talib is one of the few corners to have successfully shut down Michael Thomas (limiting the two-time All-Pro to just 36 yards in the 2018 NFC Championship Game) but he won’t have much leverage to ask for high contract demands. 2020 could be his last year in the NFL.

However, a more realistic name to watch is Walford. The 28-year-old tight end has bounced around the league a bit, but he still possesses the high-end athleticism he showed in college and that got him drafted early by the Oakland Raiders back in 2015. Jared Cook is in a contract year and depth behind Josh Hill was exposed as perilous last year, so the Saints could make a move to strengthen the depth chart.

Boehm is another pending free agent to keep in mind. He’s a versatile backup with upside as a starter, who has played games at both guard and center. While the Saints should be looking for more of a sure thing to replace left guard Andrus Peat, Boehm would be good competition for Nick Easton and Will Clapp on the left side.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28660]

2020 NFL Free Agency: Best potential Rams targets for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints could target pending free agents from the Los Angeles Rams in what promises to be a busy 2020 signing period.

[jwplayer V5gaEuN7-ThvAeFxT]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28660]

2020 NFL Free Agency: Chargers TE Hunter Henry could fit the Saints

Los Angeles Chargers TE Hunter Henry should be a free agent target for the New Orleans Saints as a compliment to Jared Cook and Josh Hill.

[jwplayer HmlrRVFz]

How can the New Orleans Saints offense improve in 2020? It could really benefit from the addition of another pass-catcher, particularly at wide receiver, but the options in free agency appear to be fairly limited. That’s a position the Saints may have to target in the draft instead. But they could achieve a similar effect by adding a pass-catching threat at another position. And if that’s a strategy that appeals to them, the Los Angeles Chargers have some intriguing free agents to consider:

CB Jaylen Watkins
CB Michael Davis (ERFA)
DT Damion Square
DT Sylvester Williams
DT Isaac Rochell (RFA)
FB Derek Watt
FS Adrian Phillips
LB Nick Dzubnar
LB Jatavis Brown
OC Dillon DeBoer (RFA)
OG Michael Schofield
OG Ryan Groy
OG Spencer Drango (RFA)
OG Trenton Scott (ERFA)
QB Philip Rivers
RB Melvin Gordon
RB Troymaine Pope (RFA)
RB Austin Ekeler (RFA)
TE Hunter Henry
TE Lance Kendricks
TE Sean Culkin (RFA)
WR Travis Benjamin
WR Geremy Davis
WR Dylan Cantrell (ERFA)

Hunter Henry would be a fascinating addition for the Saints as the third tight end, working primarily as a pass-catching threat behind Jared Cook and Josh Hill. While Cook seems poised for a huge year after his strong finish in 2019, Hill is best suited for work as a blocker. They could coexist with Hill and Henry rotating in on run or pass downs with Cook lining up all over the field as an inline tight end or a big slot receiver. It’s just unclear whether the Saints would accept Henry’s contract demands for that limited role.

Guards Michael Schofield and Ryan Groy would also make sense for the Saints, who appear to be moving on from two-time Pro Bowl alternate Andrus Peat. Groy spent the offseason with the Saints competing for a backup job, while Schofield would be a decent veteran addition. Neither of them would be expected to start, but they could be solid depth behind Nick Easton and Will Clapp.

On defense, keep an eye on safety Adrian Phillips. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2018 but spent the first half of 2019 on injured reserve with a broken arm. He’d be a nice upgrade from Vonn Bell at strong safety if the Saints don’t re-sign the incumbent starter, but Phillips may be asking for more money than the Saints want to commit at the position with Marcus Williams’ big contract extension coming up.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28660]

2020 NFL Free Agency: Top Raiders targets for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints could consider Oakland Raiders pending free agents like Mike Glennon, Daryl Worley, and Benson Mayowa in 2020.

[jwplayer q8VlhxCg-ThvAeFxT]

The Raiders will be on the move in 2020, relocating from Oakland to Las Vegas with a tough slate of opponents lined up for their inaugural season — including the New Orleans Saints. Before that, though, both squads must sort through lengthy lists of pending free agents as they seek to cut dead weight and improve their roster. That means some Raiders players could appeal to the Saints once they hit the open market. Here’s the full list:

CB Daryl Worley
CB Makinton Dorleant (ERFA)
CB D.J. Killings (ERFA)
DE Benson Mayowa
DE Olsen Pierre
DE Dion Jordan
DE Jeremiah Valoaga (ERFA)
DT Josh Mauro
FS Curtis Riley
K Daniel Carlson (ERFA)
LB Will Compton
LB Vontaze Burfict
LB Kyle WIlber
LB Nicholas Morrow (RFA)
LB Ukeme Eligwe (RFA)
LS Trent Sieg (ERFA)
OG Jordan Devey
OG Richie Incognito
OG Cameron Hunt (ERFA)
OT David Sharpe
QB Mike Glennon
QB Nathan Peterman (RFA)
RB Isaiah Crowell
RB Rod Smith
RB DeAndre Washington
SS Karl Joseph
SS Dallin Leavitt (ERFA)
TE Eric Tomlinson
WR Dwayne Harris
WR Keelan Doss (ERFA)

How much stock should we put in Sean Payton’s past praise of Mike Glennon? The Saints head coach admitted he was a fan of Glennon’s back when he first entered the NFL (as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft pick), and it’s possible Payton looks to Glennon as a backup should Teddy Bridgewater leave in free agency. We would prefer the Saints to find someone better-skilled than Glennon, but he fits the bill as a veteran clipboard-holder.

Karl Joseph could be a name worth monitoring here. While he hasn’t lived up to his draft status, Joseph is an experienced safety who could help replace Vonn Bell (if the Saints don’t re-sign their starting strong safety). Joseph has averaged 4.8 tackles per game in his four-year career and may benefit from a change of scenery.

Keep an eye on Daryl Worley; he’s been credited with 34 pass deflections in four years, and the Saints should have some familiarity with him since he began his career with the Carolina Panthers. Worley has the size (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) and starter’s experience that could benefit a team short-handed at corner like New Orleans.

Lastly: Benson Mayowa makes sense at defensive end, but the Saints may have to splurge if he’s a target. The 28-year-old finally broke out after spending his first six years as a career backup, logging 7 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in 2019. While he’d be a nice pickup while Marcus Davenport rehabs his surgically-repaired foot, this is Mayowa’s chance to cash in on the free agent market, and the Saints may not be willing to pay up.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28660]

2020 NFL Free Agency: Best Chiefs options for the Saints

Kansas City Chiefs DE Chris Jones headlines the list of pending free agents who could intrigue the New Orleans Saints this offseason.

[jwplayer jClfDnhg-ThvAeFxT]

The Kansas City Chiefs may have won Super Bowl LIV, but they’ll face as tough a road as any other team to return there. They have the same number of pending free agents as the New Orleans Saints (27), and could lose some big-time playmakers to the open market. Here’s each Chiefs player headed for free agency:

CB Kendall Fuller
CB Morris Claiborne
CB Bashaud Breeland
CB Keith Reaser
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
DE Chris Jones
DE Mike Pennel
DT Xavier Williams
FB Anthony Sherman
LB Darron Lee
LB Terrell Suggs
LB Reggie Ragland
OC Stefen Wisniewsky
QB Chad Henne
QB Matt Moore
RB LeSean McCoy
RB Spencer Ware
S Jordan Lucas
TE Blake Bell
WR Demarcus Robinson
LB Damien Wilson (Club Option)
OT Cameron Fleming (Club Option)
RB Damien Williams (Club Option)
OT Andrew Wylie (ERFA)
TE Deon Yelder (ERFA)
TE David Wells (ERFA)
WR Marcus Kemp (ERFA)

The golden goose here is Jones, who took a step back as a pass rusher out on the edge after proving effective the year before when lining up on the inside. He would be a big get for the Saints defensive front, which could be missing both Sheldon Rankins and Marcus Davenport early in the year while they both recover from injuries. The challenge will be budgeting for him in addition to all the other free agents the Saints have to pay.

Sherman may be the most-likely name to land with the Saints. They’ll need a new fullback after Zach Line retired, and Sherman is an established veteran who fits the bill. While he’s on the older side (31) and only played 98 snaps in each of the last two seasons, it’s easy to imagine him fitting into the Saints offense for a year or two.

Other names to watch: Fuller, Breeland, and Ogbah would each make sense for the Saints depending on how their budget shakes out. The Saints need more cornerbacks (they have just three under contract right now) and Ogbah could be a more affordable alternative at defensive end if they think Davenport will be ready to start right away.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28660]

2020 NFL Free Agency: Signing Yannick Ngakoue would be perfect all-in move for Saints

The New Orleans Saints should go all-in on their 2020 offseason. Signing Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue would be perfect.

[jwplayer jClfDnhg-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints will be looking high and low for upgrades when NFL free agency begins in March, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have as much to offer as any other team around the league. We’re continuing our daily survey of each team’s pending free agents with a look at who could help the Saints from Jacksonville. Here’s every Jaguars player whose contract will expire next month:

DE Yannick Ngakoue
DT Akeem Spence
LB D.J. Alexander
LB Najee Goode
LB Preston Brown
RB Alfred Blue
OG Tyler Shatley
OT Benjamin Ijalana
OT Cedric Ogbuehi
TE Ben Koyack
TE Seth Devalve
TE Nick O’Leary
DT Marcell Dareus (Club Option)
G Brandon Thomas (ERFA)
LB Austin Calitro (ERFA)
RB Devante Mays (ERFA)
DT Carl Davis (RFA)
LB Donald Payne (RFA)
LB James Onwualu (RFA)
WR Keelan Cole (RFA)

The biggest name on this list is Ngakoue, and he’d be one of the biggest additions the Saints could hope to make on the open market. He’d also draw one of the largest contracts thanks to his well-padded resume (with 37.5 sacks and 85 quarterback hits in 63 career games). It would take some crafty contract structuring to make it work, but Ngakoue wouldn’t be the first blue-chip free agent the Saints have signed unexpectedly. He’d provide a huge boost to the defensive line as a quick-twitch athlete out on the edge, which they don’t really have right now.

Ogbuehi is another player to watch, as a potential backup for Saints left tackle Terron Armstead. Ogbuehi never lived up to his draft billing as a first-round pick, but he could still fill in here or there without embarrassing himself. The Saints can’t rely on Armstead to play 16 full games in a year, so it’s vital that they have a better backup plan than sliding Andrus Peat, also often injured, out of the left guard spot and into Armstead’s role. Maybe Ogbuehi could compete for that job.

Also, watch out for the Jaguars linebackers and tight ends who will be available. The Saints are running thin at both positions and could always use more bodies there. Brown at linebacker and O’Leary at tight end are two candidates with experience in the roles the Saints ask out of their backups.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28660]

2020 NFL Free Agency: Colts’ Eric Ebron could bring huge boost to Saints

The New Orleans Saints will consider every way to improve, including Indianapolis Colts free agents like Eric Ebron and Jabaal Sheard,

[jwplayer NdXRFjST-ThvAeFxT]

The Indianapolis Colts are up next on our league-wide deep dive into possible free agents the New Orleans Saints could pursue during the 2020 offseason. With only 20 free agents available for the Colts, there are only a few plausible fits for the Saints. Here are Indianapolis’ free agents:

LT Anthony Castonzo
WR Devin Funchess
DE Jabaal Sheard
TE Eric Ebron
K Adam Vinatieri
WR Chester Rogers
FS Clayton Geathers
WR Dontrelle Inman
RT Le’Raven Clark
FS Isaiah Johnson
S Briean Boddy-Calhoun
G Josh Andrews
RB Jonathan Williams
G Joe Haeg
DT Trevon Coley (RFA)
WR Marcus Johnson (ERFA)
S Kai Nacua (ERFA)
S Rolan Milligan (ERFA)
WR Daurice Fountain (ERFA)
K Chase McLaughlin (ERFA)

A name that will be a top target for many teams, and should be for New Orleans as well is Eric Ebron. The tight end had a down year in 2019 when he played in only 11 games due to an ankle injury, in which drama ensued. The 27-year old was only able to reel in 31 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns. However, his 2017 season was fantastic, and his 2018 season was prolific. Ebron’s 2019 production may have teams on the fence in terms of doling out a huge contract to the tight end. But, should the Saints pursue his services, he would provide another big target, along with excellent route running abilities for the returning quarterback Drew Brees.

Defensive end Jabaal Sheard is another intriguing name that is available from the Colts. At 30-years old, Jabaal has proven durable, and has played above replacement level for his position. He would help solidify some question marks the New Orleans defensive line has heading into 2020.

Finally, Joe Haeg could be brought in as a depth role type of player. His snap count has diminished over the last four seasons, and at one point was a starting interior offensive lineman for Indianapolis. However, at just 26-years old, he could provide competition to players such as Nick Easton and Will Clapp. When Haeg saw the field in 2019, Pro Football Focus gave him a 71.9 grade, which shows that he has the talent.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28660]

2020 NFL Free Agency: Best Texans options for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints will consider Houston Texans free agents like Bradley Roby, Vernon Hargreaves, and Chris Clark during free agency.

[jwplayer qVTdx53F-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints will consider pending free agents from every team around the league, so we’re surveying the potential free agent class in a daily series that will run up to the beginning of the signing period. Today’s entry focuses on the Houston Texans, who offer the Saints some interesting options at a few key positions:

CB Bradley Roby
CB Johnathan Joseph
CB Phillip Gaines
CB Vernon Hargreaves
DT Brandon Dunn
DT D.J. Reader
FS Mike Adams
ILB Dylan Cole (RFA)
K Ka’imi Fairbairn
LS Jon Weeks
LT Chris Clark
OLB Barkevious Mingo
OLB Tyrell Adams
QB A.J. McCarron
QB Joe Webb
RB Carlos Hyde
RB Lamar Miller
RB Taiwan Jones
SS Jahleel Addae
TE Darren Fells
T Roderick Johnson (ERFA)
WR Deandre Carter (ERFA)

The Saints should be in on all of the Texans cornerbacks, though Bradley Roby and Johnathan Joseph figure to be the most expensive. With just three corners under contract right now, it’s important that the Saints start adding warm bodies to the depth chart, and Vernon Hargreaves would make sense as a backup with starter’s upside. He led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in snaps played last year before he was cut (following a bad game against Michael Thomas), and the Saints should be familiar with him given their past clashes in the NFC South.

A reunion with Chris Clark might make sense. The backup left tackle spent the 2019 offseason with the Saints before landing on injured reserve, leaving a few days later with an injury settlement. He joined the Texans in midseason and played frequently at right tackle, appearing on 342 snaps during seven games. It might be wise for the Saints to bring him back into the fold as a backup plan for oft-injured left tackle Terron Armstead.

Don’t sleep on backup quarterbacks Joe Webb and A.J. McCarron. The Saints are likely to lose Teddy Bridgewater in free agency, and might not match a contract offer for Taysom Hill if other teams set a high price. Even if their job is just to hold a clipboard on the sidelines, the Saints should look for an experienced backup to Drew Brees after his five-game absence last year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28660]

2020 NFL Free Agency: Geronimo Allison may be top target from Packers

The New Orleans Saints will consider every way to improve, including Green Bay Packers free agents like Geronimo Allison and Blake Martinez.

[jwplayer 7muryDs1-ThvAeFxT]

Our free team-by-team free agency series continues at the Saints Wire with the Green Bay Packers. With 21 free agents available, there a few options that could fit the New Orleans Saints. There is one player that really stands out from the rest as a solid option heading into the 2020 season. Here are the 21 free agents from Green Bay:

RT Bryan Bulaga
CB Tramon Williams
K Mason Crosby
RT Jared Veldheer
WR Geronimo Allison
TE Mercedes Lewis
T Jason Spring
WR Ryan Grant
OLB Kyler Fackrell
ILB B.J. Goodson
SS Ibraheim Campbell
RB Tyler Ervin
ILB Blake Martinez
FB Malcolm Johnson (RFA)
TE Robert Tonyan Jr. (ERFA)
WR Jake Kumerow (ERFA)
CB Chandon Sullivan (ERFA)
DE Tyler Lancaster (ERFA)
FS Will Redmond (ERFA)
WR Allen Lazard (ERFA)
G John Leglue (ERFA)

Geronimo Allison could be a great fit for the Saints, at the right price. Allison has not lived up to expectations during his time with the Packers and they seem all but certain to move on from him. Allison has been graded by Pro Football Focus the last few seasons as a slightly above average receiver. When Allison has been targeted, he has been lock-down, which is an important part of the Saints scheme. Furthermore, Allison provides a large target, and a change of scenery and offensive scheme could unlock his potential.

Blake Martinez is another option that could fit well into New Orleans, at linebacker. Martinez recorded more solo tackles than anyone else at his position in 2019. However, his play in coverage drastically reduced from 2018 to 2019, which may indicate future decline in production at the position. Or it could have been a fluke. These are the questions teams are going to ask themselves when debating whether or not to pursue a long-term, high-dollar deal with Martinez.

Tramon Williams is a possibility, but his age and salary could turn off teams like the Saints. Instead, if New Orleans wishes to address the secondary, it seems increasingly likely they will do it through the draft or the trade market.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=610623362]

[vertical-gallery id=28853]