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The New Orleans Saints made a number of personnel moves heading into the 2019 season. On one hand, the Saints made some fantastic acquisitions. On the other,  they made some questionable non-moves heading that had much of the fan base scratching their heads in bewilderment.

We are going to break those moves (or lack thereof) down and give them a grade on how those moves eventually affected the team during the 2019 season.

Signing Jared Cook: B+

Cook was added to the team on a two-year contract worth $15.5-million over the course of the contract. His addition was supposed to give quarterback Drew Brees another option in the passing game. Despite a slow start, the tight end who is known for his route running abilities posted 43 receptions for 705 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season. Imagine if Brees and Cook could have clicked even sooner?

Signing Latavius Murray: A-

After New Orleans failed to bring back Mark Ingram (more on that in a moment), the team turned to the veteran Murray to help replace that production. Murray was never supposed to replicate the volume of production of Ingram, but more to supplement Alvin Kamara. When Kamara went down with injury in 2019, Murray stepped up, and as a number two running back was able to put up 637 yards of rushing with five touchdowns. Murray was a fantastic low-cost, low-risk acquisition that turned up in a big way in 2019. The only downside is that he didn’t get more touches.

Not re-signing Mark Ingram: D

Ingram was signed by the Baltimore Ravens to a three-year, $15-million deal. By signing Murray instead, New Orleans only saved a maximum of $1.4-million a year. There have been rumors that Ingram’s agent is the one at fault for not allowing the Saints to try to match the Raven’s offer. Despite Murray’s performances in Kamara’s absence, it is hard to dispute what Ingram could have done in that same situation, and beyond. New Orleans would have been a better team in 2019 with Ingram’s presence.

Signing Malcolm Brown: B+

New Orleans inked Brown to a three-year deal worth $15-million last offseason, after the nose tackle became a free agent. In 2019, Brown played in 46% of the Saints’ defensive snaps. PFF gave Brown a grade of 68.2, which is a testament to his high level of play throughout the season. Brown played an integral part in helping the defensive line become one of the most feared in the league in terms of stopping the run.

Signing Nick Easton: C-

New Orleans brought in another former Minnesota Viking in the form of interior lineman Easton. The initial thought for Easton was to help replace Max Unger after his surprise retirement announcement after the 2018 season. Instead, Easton only saw six starts at left guard when starter Andrus Peat was sidelined with an arm injury. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 49.3, nearly average for the position. As far as a backup guard is concerned, he lived up to his expectations.

Drafting Erik McCoy instead of A.J. Brown: A-

Both players should be in the conversation for Rookie of the Year. Many fans probably look back and think of the possibilities of Brown lining up opposite of Michael Thomas in 2019. However, McCoy’s performance in the second-most important position on the field played a pivotal role in keeping Brees and Teddy Bridgewater upright and the offense a well-oiled machine. McCoy’s PFF grade of 78.0 was the highest among all rookies in the position, and only three points lowest than the highest graded center in the league (Jason Kelce). Fantastic centers are hard to come by, and with his rookie year under his belt, he is poised to have an even better 2020 season.

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