Saints coach Sean Payton discussed his team’s roster needs after a busy free agency, and with just weeks remaining before the 2020 NFL Draft
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What will the New Orleans Saints do in the 2020 NFL Draft? Few teams have been less predictable in recent years, thanks to the team’s strategy to plug roster holes through free agency, allowing them to maximize the talent available in each rookie class. That’s not something Saints coach Sean Payton expects to change soon, owing to a solid haul of veteran free agents and a number of important re-signings up and down the depth chart.
“Well, look, we’re going to be smart with the draft relative to the grades and paying attention to our board,” Payton said, emphasizing the team’s plan to draft the best players available, rather than force a pick at a position of need.
The Saints no longer have a huge vacancy at wide receiver, having paired Emmanuel Sanders up with Michael Thomas. They’ve arguably upgraded the secondary by bringing back Malcolm Jenkins, extending their contract with Janoris Jenkins, and retaining critical depth with P.J. Williams. Up front, surprising re-signings of David Onyemata and Andrus Peat have kept one of the NFL’s better defensive and offensive lines intact.
That’s not to say the roster doesn’t have weaknesses. There are several areas they can still improve. Payton identified a few positions the team could address in the draft, while saying he anticipates other spots might be best approached through free agency.
Payton continued, “There’s still a handful of things we’re looking at relative to either the kicking game (or) interior offensive lineman is something we’ll pay close attention to. We think this draft has got some really good options there. I think obviously there’s a lot of receivers in this draft.”
It’s noteworthy that Payton cites the interior offensive line as an area the Saints are monitoring; they just signed left guard Andrus Peat to a long-term contract extension carrying $33 million in guarantees, and drafted Erik McCoy to start at center last offseason. Right guard Larry Warford is in a contract year (while counting more than $12 million against the salary cap, second-most on the team), and the Saints reportedly haven’t positively reviewed his 2019 performance. The Saints frequently invest resources in their interior trio, so they might be looking to acquire Warford’s replacement soon.
By referencing the kicking game, Payton likely means the coverage units on special teams — specialists Thomas Morstead, Wil Lutz, and Zach Wood are each under contract for years to come and played well in 2019, as did breakout rookie returner Deonte Harris. But the group of players whose responsibilities will include covering punts and kickoffs is still in flux after Darren Rizzi’s first year in New Orleans as special teams coordinator.
Two of last year’s top six contributors on special teams have not re-signed with the Saints just yet: Dwayne Washington (295 snaps, third-most on the team) and Stephone Anthony (239 snaps) are both unrestricted free agents. Anthony was picked up mid-season after playing under Rizzi with the Miami Dolphins in 2018. All four of the other players who saw the most special teams snaps (Justin Hardee, Craig Robertson, Taysom Hill, and J.T. Gray) are entering the final years of their contracts, so the Saints could be on the lookout for some long-term stability should any of them leave after the 2020 season.
As for any moves the Saints could make in free agency, before the draft (which begins April 23)? Payton said, “I think from a secondary standpoint we’ll pay close attention to the corner market and then I would say also in linebacker.”
That comment was made shortly before P.J. Williams agreed to re-sign with New Orleans on a one-year deal worth $2 million guaranteed, so any further veteran additions might be unlikely. It’s interesting that linebacker is his coda on the topic, because it’s commonly perceived as the most-important need the Saints have going into the draft. Two of their three projected starters (
Alex Anzalone and
Kiko Alonso) are returning from season-ending injuries, as is a top backup (
Kaden Elliss).
Payton’s suggestion that the Saints are still evaluating free agent linebackers lines up with their previously-reported interest in players like Jamie Collins and Cory Littleton (per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football). The linebacker marketed has cooled significantly since the opening weeks of free agency, but there are still names out there such as Alec Ogletree, Nigel Bradham, and Clay Matthews. Former Saints backups like Anthony, Manti Te’o, and Will Compton are also available.
So while the Saints could still get involved with the free agent market, any more moves should be expected to affect the middle class of the depth chart rather than the top of the roster. Payton and his staff are busy teleconferencing with Jeff Ireland’s scouting department every day, focusing their energy on crafting a successful draft strategy.
Based on these comments, we should probably anticipate an early move to bolster the offensive line, which has been common under Payton’s leadership (just look at last year’s trade for McCoy, or the 2017 addition of All-Pro right tackle Ryan Ramczyk). The glut of receiving talent available could also end up adding another weapon to the Saints offense, if the pick’s value relative to other available prospects is to their liking. And an athletic linebacker or defensive back who could bring an enthusiastic presence to special teams would also make sense.
But it’s still early, and there’s plenty of time for the Saints to make a bold move or two in search of an edge. So keep an eye out for updates.
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