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NFL free agency is right around the corner, with the league’s legal tampering period set to kick off on March 16. While pens can’t be put to paper until a few days later (on March 18, the start of the NFL’s new fiscal year), the bulk of negotiations take place in that brief window. And that process is culmination of weeks of planning and scouting by teams around the league; the New Orleans Saints figure to be as busy as anyone in looking to address their roster needs.
One of the Saints’ top priorities should be identifying a linebacker who can start (and play at a high level) next to Demario Davis. There are two strong candidates on the roster already, in Alex Anzalone and Kiko Alonso — but they each ended the year with injuries, and Alonso’s release would free up valuable spending room against the salary cap. With incumbent starter A.J. Klein on track to test free agency, history suggests the Saints will again look towards the open market for help at the position (having previously signed Davis, Klein, and backup Craig Robertson away from other teams).
The Athletic’s Larry Holder reports that one name who will be on the Saints’ radar is New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins, writing that, “Interest will be there from the Saints for the veteran linebacker following one of his best seasons in New England after veering off two years in Cleveland.”
Collins would be a fascinating addition for the Saints. He’s one of the most athletically-gifted linebackers in the NFL, just as capable rushing the passer (notching 7 sacks and 10 quarterback hits last year, both career-bests) as dropping into coverage (where he bagged 3 interceptions and 7 total passes defensed) while also standing out in run defense (10 of his 81 combined tackles cost the offense a loss of yards; for context, 11 of Davis’ 111 combined tackles resulted in a loss of yardage).
The only question surrounding Collins’ fit would be his asking price. Davis is a first-team All-Pro who is entering the final year of his contract with the Saints. And Collins flopped with the Browns after inking a $50 million contract extension, which could give new suitors (like the Saints) pause. Of course, New Orleans is not Cleveland, and Collins is a much more mature player than he was at that time. We’ll be curious to see if this interest manifests into action once the Saints are allowed to talk shop in free agency, but Collins sure does look like the kind of shot in the arm the Saints defense might need to elevate a little further.
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