Tag: David Onyemata

NFL teams expect David Onyemata to earn double-digit free agent contract

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata could earn $10 million or more per year in free agency, per an NFL Network report.

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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata figures to draw plenty of interest next week as an unrestricted free agent, but a recent report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero suggests he could be in for an unprecedented payday. While teams Pelissero has spoken with expect all-star interior linemen such as Chris Jones and Arik Armstead to be taken off the market with the franchise tag, a second tier of starting-quality linemen is beginning to emerge that could reset the standards in free agency.

Onyemata being included in that group is no surprise. He’s just as productive as other starters around the league, and is likely seen as an ascendant talent after quickly picking up the game in college (at Manitoba, in Canada) before receiving high-level coaching from Saints assistant Ryan Nielsen in the NFL. Here’s a quick note from Pelissero on which players Onyemata is being compared to by interested teams:

Teams wouldn’t be surprised if Javon Hargrave (Steelers) commands close to $14 million a year — huge money for a nose tackle. Jarran Reed (Seahawks), D.J. Reader (Texans), David Onyemata (Saints) and A’Shawn Robinson (Lions) could all land north of $10 million, too.

Now, just because there’s a report that Onyemata might command $10 million or more a week before free agency doesn’t mean he’ll actually reach those heights. But it’s definitely worth considering that possibility. The Saints may not have the budget to fit Onyemata under the salary cap on such a salary, which would increase the likelihood that rookie standout Shy Tuttle earns more action in his second year.

But what’s the logic from a team paying out that kind of cash for someone who created just three sacks last year? Onyemata just turned 27 back in November, and he’s gotten better every year he’s been in the NFL. Some team desperate to strengthen the middle of their defense could certainly bet that Onyemata can rack up seven or eight sacks a year in a more prominent role, based on his career trajectory. But is that an argument the Saints would make to themselves? We’ll find out soon enough.

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Projecting new contracts for prominent Saints free agents

Big-time New Orleans Saints free agents like Teddy Bridgewater, Vonn Bell, Andrus Peat, and David Onyemata will soon test the open market.

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The NFL’s legal tampering window is just days away from opening, with pending free agents around the league eligible to hear offers from other teams. That includes 20-plus players from the New Orleans Saints; we took a crack at identifying possible suitors for some of their higher-profile free agents, and made an educated guess at who might stay or leave for new opportunities.

But how much might some of these free agents earn on the open market? Here is what we came up with for four different candidates, leaning on the

Teddy Bridgewater

To estimate how much Bridgewater may earn on the open market, we started with looks at what similar players have signed for in the past. Backups-turned-starters like Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett each received bumps in pay that averaged more than $27 million per year, while Super Bowl LII hero Nick Foles saw his potential salary rise to $23 million as Carson Wentz’s backup; Foles later agreed to a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars that has him on the books for $22 million per year.

So our educated guess at Bridgewater’s ceiling remains the same as what we suggested back in October. If interested teams seriously view him as a starting franchise quarterback, he should command north of $25 million per year. But don’t be surprised if the glut of highly-drafted lame ducks around the league, like Mitchell Trubisky, depress Bridgewater’s market a bit. His market could top out around $20 million annually.

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Is Shy Tuttle ready to step up if the Saints don’t re-sign David Onyemata?

The New Orleans Saints may not be able to re-sign David Onyemata, a pending free agent. Shy Tuttle should be seen as an in-house replacement

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The New Orleans Saints are facing a tough decision with David Onyemata, a co-starter at defensive tackle the last few years. Onyemata is a pending free agent who will entertain offers from other teams beginning March 16 (though he can’t sign anything until March 18), and it’s unclear whether the Saints will bring him back.

That’s troubling because Onyemata led his position in snaps played per game last season. Here’s how that hierarchy shook out, per Pro Football Reference:

  • David Onyemata, 37.7 snaps per game (15 games)
  • Sheldon Rankins, 32.2 snaps per game (10 games)
  • Malcom Brown, 30.4 snaps per game (16 games)
  • Taylor Stallworth, 23.3 snaps per game (4 games)
  • Shy Tuttle, 21.3 snaps per game (16 games)
  • Mario Edwards Jr., 20.9 snaps per game (14 games)

The Saints have already paid out veteran contracts to teammates like Brown ($6 million salary cap hit in 2020) and Edwards ($3.24 million), with Rankins set to play out his fifth year with the team on a team option valued at $7.69 million. That’s a combined $16.93 million in cap commitments to the defensive tackle position. Even if Onyemata signs a deal comparable to what Brown earned (three years, $15 million), it’ll be tough to fit in another contract for Onyemata.

However, the Saints may already have replacement waiting in the wings. While Rankins would be the logical choice, he’s recovering from another lower-leg injury and isn’t a sure thing to be ready for the season-opener (at least until we get an update from the Saints). That puts Tuttle, the second-year pro, squarely in the driver’s seat to start next to Brown.

But is Tuttle ready for that? He played well for the Saints on a limited basis in 2019, registering two sacks, a knockdown, and two hurries per Pro Football Reference. Tuttle was active at the line of scrimmage, creating four tackles for loss and deflecting six passes (including the playoffs). He was also credited with just one missed tackle on 19 attempts, a rate of 5.3%. And we’d be remiss to not mention his interception of Matt Ryan on Thanksgiving, followed by the most iconic stiff arm in recent Saints history. Tuttle’s a playmaker.

That all projects well to an increased role in 2020, but what may be more encouraging are Tuttle’s grades from the analysts at Pro Football Focus. He was the team’s highest-graded interior lineman in both run defense (73.2) and pass rush (70.5), finishing second in coverage (54.9, not bad for a 300-pounder). His overall grade (75.9) was also the highest on the team. In fact, Tuttle received the 20th-best overall grade among all NFL defensive tackles.

Does this mean that he’s ready to double his workload and play 40-plus snaps per game? Maybe, maybe not. That’s up for the coaches to decide. But Tuttle was a real success story as an undrafted signing out of Tennessee, and he’s been someone Saints coach Sean Payton has been quick to recognize when discussing last year’s rookie class. It’s a safe bet that we’ll see more of Tuttle in 2020, but it’s too soon to guess the extent of his upgraded playing-time.

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2021 Compensatory Draft Picks: 8 Saints free agents who could qualify

The New Orleans Saints have many expensive pending free agents, and they could qualify for compensatory picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Why don’t the New Orleans Saints ever get any compensatory draft picks? The NFL’s process for awarding those extra selections is carefully guarded by the league office, but the analysts at Over The Cap have done a good job of approximating it based off historical results.

And what they’ve found is that it directly lines up with how active teams are in unrestricted free agency. The only teams that qualify for compensatory picks are those that lose more unrestricted free agents than they’ve added; that means the Saints, always aggressive in the open market, rarely lose more than they gain. But things might be different in 2020.

As many as 27 Saints players could hit the open market this offseason, though many of them are special teamers and career backups. We’re guessing that only 8 Saints free agents could end up qualifying in the compensatory pick formula, and it’s no sure thing that they all return (or get replaced by free agents; the Saints have several easy replacements in the building already). That opens the door for next year’s draft class to get reinforced with some additional picks.

The quality of compensatory selections awarded correlates with the per-year contract values of unrestricted free agents lost to other teams, with the most-valuable contracts translating to third-round picks while the lower-valued may only result in seventh-round selections. Thankfully, Over The Cap estimates the different tiers as such:

  • 3rd round: $13 million or higher
  • 4th round: $8.5 million to $13 million
  • 5th round: $6.5 million to $8.5 million
  • 6th round: $4 million to $6.5 million
  • 7th round: $1.5 million to $4 million

With that in mind, here’s where we’re projecting each qualifying Saints free agent to factor into the compensatory formula.

CB Eli Apple

Will Vragovic/Getty Images

Estimated average annual salary: $3.75 million

Projected compensatory pick: 7th round

How much are teams going to buy into Apple’s late-season skid before his injury? He was rock-solid in coverage for the first half of 2019, living up to the hype his coaches spoke about during the offseason. But something seemed to switch in Apple when Marshon Lattimore missed time with a hamstring injury, and he ended up getting fouled five times in two games before his own injury sidelined him. If teams think Apple is a first-round draft bust and at best a reclamation project, he probably won’t break $4 million on the open market. But all it takes is one team to bet on his consistently-strong play from the bulk of last season and offer him $7 million or more per year.

Eli Apple – P.J. Williams – David Onyemata – Vonn Bell

A.J. Klein – Andrus Peat – Teddy Bridgewater – Drew Brees

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Saints options from the Ravens

The New Orleans Saints could target pending free agents like Jimmy Smith, Michael Pierece, and Pernell McPhee from the Baltimore Ravens.

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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 Baltimore Ravens and tomorrow the Buffalo Bills. We will continue following the list in alphabetical order. Here’s who the Saints could target from the Ravens:

  • CB Jimmy Smith
  • CB Brandon Carr (team option)
  • DT Michael Pierce
  • ILB Patrick Onwuasor
  • WR Seth Roberts
  • SS Anthony Levine
  • OLB Pernell McPhee
  • DT Domata Peko
  • ILB Josh Bynes
  • SS Brynden Trawick
  • SS Jordan Richards
  • WR De’Anthony Thomas
  • DT Justin Ellis
  • WR Chris Moore
  • DT Jihad Ward
  • C Hroniss Grasu
  • OLB Matt Judon
  • RT Andre Smith
  • C Matt Skura (RFA)
  • G Parker Ehinger (ERFA)
  • RB Gus Edwards (ERFA)
  • S Fish Smithson (ERFA)
  • G Randin Crecelius (ERFA)

Baltimore has 23 free agents heading into free agency in the 2020 offseason. We will pick two options that the Saints could potentially pursue this offseason in free agency. Keep in mind that New Orleans’ biggest needs lie at guard, wide receiver, linebacker, tight end, and cornerback heading into 2020.

A name that really sticks out that could benefit the Saints in defensive tackle Michael Pierce. With the uncertainty of David Onyemata and Sheldon Rankin’s futures, Pierce would make an immediate impact. Despite low sack numbers, only half a sack in 2019, his real strength lies in his run-defense. Pierce remains one of the elite options in stopping the run game, and will command a large contract. However, if the Saints can figure out how to make the cap space work, Pierce would only improve an already potent New Orleans run defense.

A low-cost option that could provide the Saints some cover is outside linebacker Pernell McPhee. 2019 seemed promising for the 31-year old linebacker until he tore his triceps in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks. Prior to his injury, McPhee played a large part in the Ravens defense averaging 68.5% of defensive snaps. McPhee would be a low-cost option that would fit right into New Orleans’ defensive scheme.

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5 Saints in-house replacements for pending free agents

Whether C.J. Gardner-Johnson steps in for Vonn Bell or Nick Easton replaces Andrus Peat, the New Orleans Saints have options in free agency.

The New Orleans Saints are set to lose multiple key players to free agency this offseason, including a number of entrenched starters. In order to minimize the effect of those losses, the Saints will turn towards the 2020 NFL Draft and the free agency signing period to help fill those holes on the roster. But, there are internal options under contract for 2020 and beyond that could potentially step in right away. Some of that is by design, while others are more like happy accidents. Here are four candidates that could replace some of the Saints’ pending free agents.

Shy Tuttle for David Onyemata

New Orleans acquired Onyemata in a draft-day trade, climbing the board in the fourth round back in 2016. The athletic defensive tackle instantly became a productive member of the Saints defensive front. Now, he is set for free agency, and it appears his replacement is waiting in the wings.

Tuttle is set to help take over Onyemata’s production in 2020, and he has already become endeared to the Saints’ fan base. Despite logging only 373 snaps in 2019, he made the most of them, and even intercepted Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on Thanksgiving Day before delivering an iconic stiff-arm. But he’s more than just that one highlight; a starting gig for Tuttle could be an upgrade over Onyemata.

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Ranking the Saints defensive position groups going into 2020 offseason

Which position group reigns supreme for the New Orleans Saints defense, and where must they add upgrades? Cornerback, linebacker stand out.

The New Orleans Saints have a number of questions to ask themselves this offseason, many of them surrounding starters headed for free agency either this March or next year. Most of those starters play defense, including names like cornerback Eli Apple, safety Vonn Bell, defensive tackle David Onyemata, and linebacker A.J. Klein.

While the defense came up short in the playoffs, it’s arguably been a more consistent unit than the lauded Saints offense the last few years, especially in the postseason. But should the Saints look to maintain consistency on that side of the ball or instead pursue upgrades?

To help find out, we’ve ranked each defensive position group, taking stock of where they stand going into the offseason:

Cornerbacks

Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints have just three corners under contract right now: Marshon Lattimore, Janoris Jenkins, and Patrick Robinson. Lattimore is one of the best (if somewhat high-variance) young cover corners in the league, and the decision to pick up his fifth-year option for 2021 is a no-brainer. But it’s less clear whether the Saints should keep veterans like Jenkins and Robinson around on their bloated salaries. And the lack of depth behind them doesn’t add any clarity. This is a position the Saints must invest in, whether it means retaining mainstays like Apple and P.J. Williams or bringing in new faces.

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PFF doesn’t rank any Saints players among 50 best free agents

The analysts at Pro Football Focus did not rank any New Orleans Saints players in their list of the 50 best available free agents in 2020.

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The analysts at Pro Football Focus put together their ranking of the 50 best available free agents in 2020, and not a single New Orleans Saints player made the list. It’s not for a lack of pending free agents out of New Orleans: their offseason priorities include starters like left guard Andrus Peat, cornerback Eli Apple, safety Vonn Bell, defensive tackle David Onyemata, and linebacker A.J. Klein.

While the Saints can probably afford to let some of those players go and choose to pursue upgrades instead, many of them were still critical to the team’s success in 2019. If anything, it goes to show just how deep and talented this year’s free agency crop may be.

However, the list doesn’t feature any quarterbacks — the PFF team covered them separately, recognizing the different scale in value they present to teams around the league. Both Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater were profiled as maybe-limited passers who teams can win with, but should have reservations about over-committing to. Between Brees’ disappointing finish down the stretch and Bridgewater’s limited exposure compared to other young quarterbacks like Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, any teams (the Saints or otherwise) have questions to ask themselves before making a contract offer.

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5 pending free agents the Saints should let walk in 2020 offseason

Whether they’ve earned a huge contract or performed poorly, not all of the New Orleans Saints pending free agents should re-sign in 2020.

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The New Orleans Saints have dozens of tough decisions to make in the next few months. They’re facing a large group of pending free agents, with several starters and many big contributors among them. New Orleans is going to be dealing with limited salary cap resources again this year, but the 2020 signing period could be the first time they’ve really been limited by it.

Not all of their free agents should return. Whether it’s because they’ve played themselves out of the Saints’ price range or have disappointed by not playing as well as expected, some Saints will be looking for new squads in March. Here are our five picks for players who shouldn’t re-sign, for one reason or another.

Ted Ginn Jr., wide receiver

Hopes were high for Ginn after his breakout 2017 campaign with the Saints, having posted the highest rate of receptions per game (3.53), receiving yards per game (52.5), and catch rate (75.7%). Each of those numbers trailed off during his next two years in New Orleans, falling to 1.9 catches and 26.3 yards per game in 2019, with a catch rate of just 53.6%. He closed out the 2019 season with only three catches for 41 yards in his final four games. It’s time for the Saints to invest in younger, more capable options in the receiving corps behind Michael Thomas.

Andrus Peat, guard/tackle

The Saints have been patient with Peat, trying him out at four different offensive line positions before he settled in at left guard. Film study gurus swear that he’s one of ten or twelve best guards in the NFL, but that says more about the sad state of guard play in the league than anything great about Peat. He’s been a liability in too many big moments and is by far the weak link for the Saints up front. Even if they have to draft a rookie guard highly or invest in another veteran, they have to find a way to upgrade his roster spot.

A.J. Klein, linebacker

Klein has developed into a fine starter for the Saints, and even come through in some clutch situations. With two of next year’s three projected starters currently rehabbing injuries, it does make sense for the team to consider re-signing him. But the relatively-high salary cap hits for Demario Davis ($9.9 million) and Kiko Alonso ($6.4 million) make it tough to justify investing too much in a third veteran, and this could be Klein’s last opportunity to cash in with a big NFL contract. It’ll be tough for the Saints to reach a compromise with him, because he probably deserves more than they’ll be able to budget for him.

David Onyemata, defensive tackle

Much like Klein, Onyemata is someone the Saints picked up and developed into a quality NFL player — he hadn’t even heard of football until he started classes at the University of Manitoba. He’s come a long way; Onyemata created 3 sacks and a career-best 11 quarterback hits in 2019 while starting 15 games in place of Sheldon Rankins. He’s a big part of the rotation up front, having led all interior linemen with 37.7 snaps played per game. Losing him would be huge, but he’s set himself up to earn at least as much as the Saints just paid nose tackle Malcom Brown ($15 million over three years), and the Saints may have bigger fish to fry. At least they’ve been developing backups like Shy Tuttle and Taylor Stallworth for larger roles.

Austin Carr, wide receiver

Carr played the fourth-most snaps at wide receiver for the Saints last year (188), which is almost as much as Deonte Harris, Krishawn Hogan, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Keith Kirkwood had combined (213). He used all those opportunities to catch one pass for nine yards. The Saints were so thin at receiver this year that Carr was averaging 31.3 snaps per game and he still wasn’t a viable part of the passing game. If he’s back on the roster in 2020, it’s because the Saints failed to take a serious look at the depth chart and realized big changes are needed to support Drew Brees.

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NFL projects 2020 salary cap to climb as high as $201.2M, Saints to benefit

The New Orleans Saints will have room to spend when the NFL reveals its salary cap for the 2020 fiscal year, with projections reaching high.

The New Orleans Saints and every other NFL team learned Tuesday that the league projects the 2020 salary cap to be set as high as $201.2 million, with conservative estimates coming in around $196.8 million. That would mean a big increase over the 2019 salary cap, which was established at $188.2 million.

The analysts at Over The Cap project the Saints to be on the hook for a little over $180.4 million in salary cap commitments when the NFL’s new fiscal year begins, which accounts for dead money payments to quarterbacks Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater, who are each scheduled to test unrestricted free agency next March. Depending on where the NFL and NFLPA agree to set next year’s salary cap, the Saints would go into the offseason with between $16.4 and $20.8 million to spend.

That’s slight work for Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and his financial team, which includes salary cap wunderkind Khai Hartley. They’ve proven able to manipulate contracts and structure salary cap commitments with ease, and shouldn’t face significant hurdles from it next season.

The real challenge is going to be retaining so many valuable free agents. Beyond the quarterbacks situation (Brees, Bridgewater, and Taysom Hill are each going to see their current deals expire), New Orleans must navigate contract situations with key contributors like safety Vonn Bell, cornerback Eli Apple, defensive tackle David Onyemata, linebacker A.J. Klein, and left guard Andrus Peat, to name just a few. The clock will also start ticking on new contracts for big-time playmakers including running Alvin Kamara and safety Marcus Williams, with fifth-year options in play for cornerback Marshon Lattimore and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk. This could be a year where the Saints keep most of their investments in-house and remain quiet on bidding in the open market.

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