Category: 2023 free agency

Saints free agent report card: Was Johnathan Abram a good veteran signing?

Saints free agent report card: Was Johnathan Abram a good veteran signing?

The New Orleans Saints defense had an up-and-down season in 2023, but they found some smooth sailing in the latter half of the season. A lot of that had to do with some veterans stepping up and performing well

One of the players that broke out in the second half of the season was veteran safety Johnathan Abram, who spent the first half of the year on the practice squad.

To wrap up the series for last season’s most impactful free agent signings (we previously discussed Foster Moreau, Jamaal Williams, Nathan Shepherd, and Khalen Saunders), here is Abram’s 2023 report card:

Saints free agent report card: Was Nathan Shepherd a good veteran signing?

Our next New Orleans Saints 2023 free agent report card: Was Nathan Shepherd a good veteran signing at defensive tackle?

Few positions looked as different last season compared to the year before as the New Orleans Saints’ defensive tackles. With their position coach leaving for a promotion, the Saints allowed the entire group to test free agency while bringing in veteran replacements and spending their top draft pick on a new centerpiece.

So how did they perform individually? We’re keeping our 2023 Saints free agent report card series going after reviewing Foster Moreau and Jamaal Williams. Which leads us to the next question: was Nathan Shepherd a good veteran signing at defensive tackle?

Here’s how free agency could impact each position for the 2024 Cowboys

A position-by-position review of what the Cowboys have heading into the offseason and some suggestions on where they could find help. | From @cdpiglet

The Dallas Cowboys season ended before everyone thought it would, upset by the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round of the playoffs. It was the Cowboys first home loss of the year, as they were the only home team to lose in the round. Many speculated the coaching staff would change, but Jerry Jones believes continuity matters, and has brought head coach Mike McCarthy back for the final season on his contract. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn could even be retained if he isn’t hired as a head coach elsewhere.

This left many fans frustrated because how would the team improve while running it back with the same staff and core set of players. Even if the 2023 draft class greatly improved and the team got more impact from Mazi Smith, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown, and others, they would still need more to contend in the NFC, let alone for the Super Bowl.

Before the 2024 draft class comes to fruition, free agency will shape the majority of roster decisions for the club to make any improvement. The teams cap room shouldn’t be an issue because they can open up plenty of room with extensions to quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb alone. Restructures and contracts they can move off of could create more space as well, so it will only be up to the willingness of the Jones’ to pay the players they want to sign.

Justin Houston? Micah Parsons? Cowboys have obvious solution to run-stopping woes

The Cowboys need to get better at LB but is moving Micah Parsons or signing a free agent like Justin Houston really the best solution? | From @ReidDHanson

Following the Cowboys’ embarrassing 31-10 loss to Buffalo in Week 15, the defense’s run-stopping ability immediately fell under scrutiny.  Not only did Buffalo’s top runner James Cook enjoy a career day, but the running game as a whole forced 12 missed tackles on the Dallas run defense.

The Bills dominance on the ground was so significant, their all-star QB, Josh Allen, only needed 15 dropbacks and seven completions to easily secure the victory. It was a display of dominance not seen in quite some time and an indication the same old tired ending might await them in the postseason once again.

Buffalo found that by playing larger personnel groups like 12, 21 and even adding an extra offensive lineman for a jumbo look, the Cowboys would be unable to match up in personnel. And they were essentially right. Based on player tracking, Dallas used 3-2-6 and 4-1-6 personnel on defense 79% of their snaps. In those personnel groups the Cowboys gave up +0.24 EPA/play and +0.21 EPA/play respectively.

The only personnel group worse than Dallas’ light look was their bulkier 4-3-4 group. When the Cowboys answered Buffalo’s big personnel, going light in the secondary and adding more in the front seven, they gave up a staggering +0.53 EPA/play.

Dan Quinn prefers to lean into the strengths of his personnel and it’s easy to see why. Removing a good DB for a LB of far lesser quality is bad business. In the case of Week 15, the Cowboys’ lowest LB on the depth chart, Rashaan Evans, scored the lowest defensive score of the game. His run-stopping grade of 33.1 wasn’t just lower than any DB on the Cowboys, but lower than any single player.

Of course, the alternative to using an extra LB like Evans is allowing the extra lineman to openly bulldoze a defensive back. That’s not exactly an ideal situation either. This dilemma in which we speak is causing many to think of alternative solutions.

Here’s why the Cowboys are a great fit for Shaq Leonard

The Cowboys have a few things going for them and as long as the money’s right, they should be a desirable landing spot for Shaq Leonard. | From @ReidDHanson

When Shaq Leonard was released by Indianapolis last week, the Cowboys were immediately linked as a potential suitor. But unlike most links to Dallas, this one had actual teeth. The Cowboys’ thinnest position on their roster is arguably their LB corps so a former All-Pro like Leonard just makes sense.

Playing primarily out of a nickel defense that utilizes extra safeties and rarely asks more than two off-ball LBs to take the field together, the Cowboys have their starters in place. Damone Clark, an ascending second-year LB out LSU, and Markquese Bell, a converted SAF, have been doing admirably at LB for Dallas.

The two players understand Dan Quinn’s system and are proving to be true three-down players for the Cowboys. But behind them the well looks dry.

A neck injury in Week 5 had already ended the season of Leighton Vander Esch, and before that, Dallas lost rookie LB DaMarvion Overshown to a preseason ACL tear. The player they hoped would have developed by now, Jabril Cox, never did, resulting in his preseason release. Even Devin Harper was lost when Cincinnati claimed him off waivers in late September.

Aside from Bell and Clark, the Cowboys only have Rashaan Evans playing the off-ball LB position at the moment.

On one hand, this could be seen as a bad thing, but on the other hand, it’s that glaringly obvious need at the LB position that’s Dallas’ biggest selling point.

The Cowboys need Leonard and that could work to their advantage. Players want to be where they’re needed. The Cowboys are extremely shallow at the position and can all but guarantee snaps to Leonard on Day 1.

The chances of Bell and Clark going injury-free from here on out is fairly slim. LB is a physical position, and at the very least, an extra LB could give them breathers in a regular rotation.

Leonard might not be likely to regain All-Pro form, but last seen, he’s still pretty darn good. He’s particularly effective in run support, which happens to be an area in which Dallas struggled. It should be no mystery as to why the Cowboys are interested in adding Leonard and why they scheduled a visit for Tuesday.

Recent reports indicate other teams may also be interested in the former Colt and Dallas will have to sell him on the idea of joining the Cowboys. While money is understandably a big factor in any free agent sales pitch, the attractiveness of the situation is also sure to play a role.

Besides money, the Cowboys have a few things separating them from the pack:

  1. An immediate need
  2. A long-term need
  3. Contender status
  4. A dominant defense around him

The immediate need is clear. Rotating Leonard in on obvious run situations is a way he could make an instant impact on the Cowboys.

Yet, unlike other teams who just need Leonard to hold down the fort while other players recover from injuries, Dallas needs him for the entire season. There are no reinforcements coming for the Cowboys which means Leonard can feel confident he won’t be benched a few weeks down the road.

The Cowboys are also quite clearly playing for something. They are one of the top teams in the NFC and on a clear path to the postseason. Leonard would be playing for something in Dallas.

The Cowboys also have an elite defense in place around him. Their defensive line and secondary are elite. Leonard wouldn’t be picking up the slack of others – he’d be playing with an All-Star cast and only have to focus on himself.

As long as the money is right, there are reasons to believe the Cowboys have the inside track on adding Leonard.

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Report: FA linebacker Shaq Leonard to visit Cowboys this week

The Cowboys will meet with the most intriguing player remaining on the free agent market. | From @KDDrummondNFL

It appears that the public courting by the front office and staff appears to be genuine. The Dallas Cowboys have a need at linebacker, and inexplicably, the Indianapolis Colts put one with a strong history of great play on the free agent market.

Shaq Leonard, formerly Darius, was released last week in a surprise move by the Colts. The 2018 second-round pick has three All-Pros and three Pro Bowl appearances in his career, but back injuries robbed him of most of 2022 and has limited his playing time in 2023. Still, he would signal a big addition for the Cowboys who have had to weather things without their middle linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch.

And it appears they will get their crack at signing him, as Leonard is scheduled to visit The Star this coming week, according to Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins.

Vander Esch has been out with a neck injury and after a month on the sideline a return this season was ruled out while it was reported he may not be able to return to the field ever. Dallas has been playing with Damone Clark and converted safety Markquese Bell, with midseason signing Rashaan Evans playing more in recent weeks.

So while Leonard may not still be playing at a Pro Bowl level, he would improve the depth tremendously with whatever he has left in the tank. His ceiling is obviously much higher than that if he has more in the tank than what the Colts believe he had.

Leonard cleared waivers as a claiming team would’ve had to assume over $6 million in remaining 2023 salary, but as a free agent teams are allowed to negotiate with Leonard if he wants to sign with them.

Waived by Colts, LB Leonard could be perfect solution to Cowboys problem

If Shaq Leonard clears waivers, the Cowboys should consider signing him because he has low-risk/high-reward potential as a run-stopping LB. | From @ReidDHanson

In a move that came as a surprise to many outside the Colts organization, Indianapolis announced they are parting ways with their former All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard. Leonard will go to waivers allowing NFL teams to claim him under the terms of his current deal. If he goes unclaimed, every team will be free to negotiate with the 28-year-old veteran.

Claiming order is determined by team record, and the Cowboys could very well have interest in the 6-foot-2, 230-pound South Carolina State product. They are desperately thin in their LB ranks and have been creatively deploying safeties to fill many of the traditional LB roles.

Coming off a game where the struggling Panthers were able to move the ball at a clip of 4.8 yards per carry, Dallas could use some assistance in run support. LBs Damone Clark and Markquese Bell have been carrying the burden and a veteran like Leonard could make a significant impact in the rotation behind them.

With that said, Leonard was released for a reason. The standout LB suffered through significant injuries over the last two seasons and has seen a reduction of playing time in 2023 as a result. Often exiting the field on third downs, Leonard had grown dissatisfied with his role in Indianapolis, eventually prompting his release.

What exactly Leonard has left in the tank is a topic for debate. Based on PFF grades he’s at his best playing the run and tackling. His pass-rush scores and coverage scores have taken a significant dip since his injuries. Based on his snaps with the Colts, all of those scores are validated since they often took him off the field in passing scenarios.

Luckily for the Cowboys they don’t necessarily need a coverage LB right now. Between their two starters and their slew of SAF options, they are rich in pass defense. It’s run defense they need. By all appearances, Leonard has that.

Given his injury history it’s unlikely any team will claim him off waivers and take on the terms of his current deal. Leonard would cost an awarded team over $6 million for the rest of the season. The Cowboys are one of several teams who could make that signing without shuffling money around, but it would eat up all of their remaining space. The mix between teams with the space, the need, and postseason aspirations is a limited group.

That bodes well for Dallas since they are low on the list of wavier priority. If the Cowboys want him, they will have to negotiate with him after he presumably clears waivers.

What makes Dallas an attractive place to Leonard is the lack of depth they have at the position group. Aside from the recently elevated Rashaan Evans, the Cowboys have a perfect landing spot for a veteran seeking opportunity. It’s not a full-time role like he once had but it’s a potentially significant role on an otherwise dominant defense with a team that has realistic Super Bowl aspirations.

This has the makings of a low-risk, high-reward signing. Leonard is a smart, high-character player who will be an asset on the field and in the locker room. He’ll help insulate the Cowboys for injuries and add run support skills to a team that appears to need them.

He has to clear waivers first and the money has to be right, but this appears to be a perfect match under the right conditions.

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Cowboys to work out recently reinstated WR Bryant

The Cowboys are checking to see if the receiver has anything left in the tank to contribute. | From @ArmhyChiefW3

The Cowboys are bringing in wideout Martavis Bryant for a workout on Tuesday, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

Bryant has not played in the NFL since the 2018 season when he suited up for the Oakland Raiders, who have since moved to Las Vegas. Bryant endured multiple suspensions over the course of his career for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

He missed the entire 2016 season, and then was suspended indefinitely for violating the terms of a conditional reinstatement.

Pittsburgh selected Bryant 118th overall in the 2014 NFL draft.

Bryant has spent his years away from the NFL playing in other professional leagues. He played in the CFL with the Toronto Arganauts in 2021 and recently played with the Vegas Vipers of the XFL, catching 14 balls for 154 yards in eight games.

He was suspended four games in 2015 for violating the league’s substance abuse program. Bryant then lost the entirety of the 2016 season after multiple violations of that same substance abuse policy. He returned in 2017 and played in 15 games before being traded the following season to Oakland for a third-round pick. Another substance abuse violation in December of 2018 was the final strike until the NFL lifted the ban this past weekend.

On the field, Bryant showed he was more than capable of being a quality number two option for a contending team. The 6-foot-4 receiver has only played in 44 career games recording over 2,000 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Although he turns 32 years old before the year ends, he presumably should not have the same wear and tear as other wideouts his age.

The Cowboys currently have only 15 players on their 16-man practice squad.

3 last-minute free agent pickups the Saints should target

Two preseason games and weeks of training camp gave us a better idea of what the Saints still need. 3 last-minute free agents they should target before the season starts:

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:

Report: Saints work out former Giants, Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith

Report: Seeking improved defensive depth, the Saints work out former Giants and Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith

This could be an interesting move: TheScore’s Jordan Schultz reports that the New Orleans Saints brought in linebacker Jaylon Smith for a workout in the wake of Anthony Barr’s visit on Monday.

Smith, 28, has spent most of the last two years with the New York Giants after starting his career with the Dallas Cowboys back in 2016. He’s started 69 of the 87 games he’s played in the NFL, as well as four playoff games. He also had a two-game cameo with the Green Bay Packers in 2021.

Smith’s career was derailed by a catastrophic knee injury in his final college game at Notre Dame, costing him his entire rookie season and dropping him out of first-round consideration; it turned out to be one of a few incidents that ignited a wave of withdrawals by top NFL draft prospects in bowl season that continues to this day.

To his credit, Smith has gone on to put a nice career together for himself, and he’d be a good fit in New Orleans behind Demario Davis and Pete Werner. Head coach Dennis Allen recently acknowledged that he hasn’t seen anyone emerge out of the group of first- and second-year pros and journeymen special teamers to win that opportunity.

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