options – Page 6 – Syndication Server

2020 NFL Free Agency: Steelers options for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints should consider several pending free agents from the Pittsburgh Steelers, such as B.J. Finney and Bud Dupree.

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We continue to roll on with our team-by-team series that highlights all the possible free agents that could hit the market, and which ones could be potential fits for the New Orleans Saints.

Up next is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and with just 15 pending free agents, the pickings will be slim for the Saints. But there are a couple players who may fit well into the New Orleans culture in 2020 and beyond. Here are Pittsburgh’s free agents:

CB Artie Burns
CB Mike Hilton (RFA)
DE Lavon Hooks (ERFA)
DT Leterrius Walton (RFA)
DT Justin Hargrave
FS Sean Davis
FS Jordan Dangerfield (RFA)
LB Tyler Matakevich
LB Bud Dupree
LS Kameron Canaday
OG B.J. Finney
OT Matt Feiler (RFA)
OT Zach Banner (RFA)
TE Nick Vannett
TE Vance McDonald (Club Option)

Bud Dupree would fit well into the defensive scheme of the Saints, especially with a need at the linebacker position. However, there are reports of the Steelers potentially using the franchise tag on the pass-rushing linebacker.

B.J. Finney could potentially interest New Orleans, as he has proven he can stay healthy over the course of the season. However, he has never played more than 33% of the offensive snaps in a given season, and might only be a depth option for the club.

One intriguing name is tight end Vance McDonald. Over the course of the last three seasons, McDonald has only been able to produce 1,071 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he has always been surrounded by big hype due to his size, speed and athleticism. His injuries have kept him back, as he has missed 14 games over the last three seasons with Pittsburgh. McDonald is on a club option, one that very well may not get renewed if the Steelers want to create cap space and move on. If they do, McDonald may be an affordable option if not attractive option for New Orleans in order to help shore up some questions with the tight end corps.

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Top Eagles options for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints should consider Philadelphia Eagles free agents like Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, and Nelson Agholor in free agency.

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The Philadelphia Eagles struggled with some issues that were familiar to New Orleans Saints fans last year, with injuries striking the defensive secondary while the receiving corps didn’t play up to an acceptable level; however, the Eagles didn’t have players like Marshon Lattimore and Michael Thomas to carry those position groups.

Interestingly, many of those players are headed for free agency, meaning they could get a second shot with the Saints. Here’s the full list of pending free agents from the Eagles:

CB Ronald Darby
CB Jalen Mills
CB Craig James (ERFA)
DE Vinny Curry
DT Timmy Jernigan
DT Hassan Ridgeway
FS Malcolm Jenkins (Club Option)
FS Rodney McLeod
LB Nigel Bradham
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
OG Halapoulivaati Vaitai
OT Jason Peters
P Cameron Johnston (ERFA)
QB Nate Sudfeld
QB Josh McCown
RB Darren Sproles
RB Jordan Howard
RB Corey Clement (RFA)
TE Richard Rodgers
WR Nelson Agholor

Both Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills could make sense for the Saints as backups behind Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins. They’ve each had good moments with the Eagles but were slowed down by injuries. The Saints simply need to start adding depth at this point, and either Darby or Mills would fit in if they don’t get offers to start from other teams.

Nelson Agholor has been a draft bust for the Eagles, but he wouldn’t be the first player to benefit from a change of scenery. He’s done his best work from the slot, which is where the Saints could use the most help. The Saints shouldn’t sign him with full expectations that Agholor is the answer at the position, but he could be a better backup plan than, say, Lil’Jordan Humphrey or Krishawn Hogan.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai is worth monitoring as one of the bigger names on this list. He’s started games at both left tackle and left guard, and could be a serious upgrade over Andrus Peat. Vaitai figures to have a busy market, however, and should get offers to start at left tackle from needy teams around the league. He’d be a nice addition for the Saints but it’s difficult to see them pulling off this move.

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5 options for the players if they decide to decline the current CBA deal

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports This may be the best time for players and owners to come to a deal since everything is going right for the NFL in terms of the business of football. Still, there are people who think the players should waiting …

This may be the best time for players and owners to come to a deal since everything is going right for the NFL in terms of the business of football. Still, there are people who think the players should waiting things out. They shouldn’t rush a deal. It’s very easy to say that the players shouldn’t take the latest collective bargaining offer. There are definitely some sticking points where it’s possible some players may push back. The easy part is saying no. The hard part is explaining what the players would do next if they decided that this deal wasn’t the best they could get. What’s next? What happens if the owners won’t budge from their current position? What happens if there’s a lockout? Let’s take a guess.

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2020 NFL Free Agency: A few Giants might appeal to the Saints, at the right price

The New Orleans Saints could target New York Giants free agents like Alec Ogletree, Cody Latimer, or Javorius Allen when the market opens up

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The New Orleans Saints will look high and low for potential upgrades in free agency, meaning they must consider options even from very bad teams like the New York Giants. While the Giants don’t have much to offer in terms of high-upside talent, there are a few possible opportunities for the Saints to improve, if the money’s right. Here are all 23 Giants players who could hit the open market:

CB Antonio Hamilton
DE Leonard Williams
FB Elijhaa Penny (RFA)
FS Michael Thomas
K Aldrick Rosas (RFA)
LB Alec Ogletree
LB David Mayo
LB Deone Bucannon
LB Kareem Martin
LB Markus Golden
LB Devante Downs (RFA)
LS Zak DeOssie
LS Colin Holba (RFA)
OC Jon Halapio (RFA)
OT Mike Remmers
RB Javorius Allen
TE Scott Simonson
TE Isaiah Searight
WR Cody Latimer
WR Russell Shepard
WR Corey Coleman
WR Cody Core
WR Amba Etta-Tawo (ERFA)

The name most familiar to Saints fans might be Javorius Allen, who spent last summer in New Orleans before exiting with an injury early in training camp. The Saints could use a third-string running back behind Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray if Dwayne Washington gets competitive offers in free agency (he’s one of the NFL’s better special teamers), and Allen is someone they’re already familiar with. It’s easy to connect the dots there.

However, an interesting target could be Alec Ogletree. The veteran linebacker didn’t play up to his contract last season, missing too many tackles and bungling too many assignments, but he’s still an instinctive presence in pass coverage with six interceptions over the last two years. The Saints are hurting for more depth at linebacker (Alex Anzalone, Kiko Alonso, and Kaden Elliss are all returning from season-ending injuries) so Ogletree might make sense, depending on an acceptable contract offer.

We’ll close out by surveying the Giants wide receivers. Cody Latimer was hyped up during the offseason as a high-upside addition who could help fill the void left behind by the Odell Beckham trade, but it never materialized. He might benefit from another change of scenery (having started out with the Denver Broncos), this time with a good quarterback or two. Cody Core might make sense, but the bulk of his contributions have come on special teams.

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Saints wish list must start with Patriots’ Joe Thuney

The New Orleans Saints must pursue New England Patriots guard Joe Thuney, an elite talent in free agency, if they’re serious about improving

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There could be a mass exodus out of the New England Patriots this offseason, with franchise quarterback Tom Brady among a crowd of pending free agents who might play elsewhere in 2020. That creates several interesting opportunities for the New Orleans Saints to improve. Here’s who might become available in March:

DE Keionta Davis (RFA)
DT Danny Shelton
DT Adam Butler (RFA)
FS Devin McCourty
FS Nate Ebner
K Nick Folk
LB Jamie Collins
LB Shilique Calhoun
LB Elandon Roberts
LB Kyle Van Noy
OC James Ferentz
OC Ted Karras
OG Joe Thuney
OG Jermaine Eluemunor (RFA)
OT Marshall Newhouse
QB Tom Brady
TE Benjamin Watson
WR Matthew Slater
WR Phillip Dorsett

Naturally, the wish list of Saints targets on this list starts with Joe Thuney. He’s one of the NFL’s elite guards, an ironman at the position who rarely leaves the field, and figures to get paid like it. The Saints have shown a willingness to invest tons of salary cap resources to guards in the past (which is vital with a smaller-statured pocket passer in Drew Brees), so they can’t be ruled out in the Thuney sweepstakes. It would be great to pair him up in practice with nose tackle Malcom Brown again, as two upper-tier trench players with real playoffs experience.

Also, keep an eye on linebackers Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy. The Saints are hazardously thin at the position with both Alex Anzalone and Kiko Alonso returning from season-ending injuries, and either of the Patriots veterans would make sense as dynamic additions next to Demario Davis. The only concern is that their market prices may be prohibitive (especially in Van Noy’s case, as he doesn’t figure to lack for suitors).

Phillip Dorsett shouldn’t be overlooked. The Saints were very high on him in the 2015 NFL Draft, but the Indianapolis Colts snapped him up a few picks before New Orleans settled for Stephone Anthony. Neither player has really impressed in the NFL, but another change of scenery could be what Dorsett needs to revitalize his career before it’s too late.

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Could Saints poach Vikings fullback C.J. Ham?

The New Orleans Saints will evaluate all pending free agents, including Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham, a restricted free agent.

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The New Orleans Saints are going to be on the hunt for upgrades when NFL free agency begins in just a few weeks, searching all throughout the league for players who can help them remain in Super Bowl contention. That means evaluating every possible addition — including players from the conference-rival Minnesota Vikings, who have dealt the Saints painful playoffs exits in two of the last three years. Here’s who may be available:

CB Trae Waynes
CB Mackensie Alexander
CB Marcus Sherels
DE Everson Griffen
DE Stephen Weatherly
FB C.J. Ham (RFA)
K Dan Bailey
LB Kentrell Brothers
LB Eric Wilson (RFA)
OC Brett Jones
OG Rashod Hill
OT Dakota Dozier
P Britton Colquitt
QB Sean Mannion
RB Ameer Abdullah
SS Jayron Kearse
SS Anthony Harris
SS Andrew Sendejo
WR Laquon Treadwell

The number-one target on this list should be Ham, which is difficult because he’s a restricted free agent. Hypothetically speaking, the Vikings can match any contract offers Ham receives, or even ward off suitors with a second- or first-round tender. But if they go with the lowest level option (Minnesota is, for once, working close to the salary cap), the Saints should be all in on Ham. He was one of two fullbacks to play more often than Zach Line (who retired) last year, along with San Francisco 49ers chess-piece Kyle Jusczyk. Line was also once a Vikings standout before the Saints bagged him, and they would do well to pursue Ham if he’s available.

He’s not someone they should sign, but the Saints should closely monitor the interest and contract offers that Anthony Harris gets in free agency. He was one of the few free safeties to intercept more passes (6) than Marcus Williams (4) last season and is projected to earn $13.8 million per year on his next contract. That should set the market for Williams, whose contract expires after the 2020 season.

But let’s circle back to players the Saints should have an interest in signing. They need bodies at cornerback, and both Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander offer starter’s experience at an easier-to-justify rates than Patrick Robinson’s $6.25 million cap hit. Alexander and Waynes are each projected to reel in $8.4 million per year, which could make them attractive options if Robinson is cut (or if negotiations fall apart with Janoris Jenkins over his $11.25 million cap hit, despite him clearly being the best prospect of the bunch).

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Best possible Dolphins targets for the Saints

The Miami Dolphins will have little to offer other teams in free agency, but Aqib Talib might make sense for the New Orleans Saints.

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The Miami Dolphins figure to be big players in both free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft, meaning the New Orleans Saints could lack for options to sign away from Miami in search of upgrades. But the cupboard isn’t totally bare, and several Dolphins free agents could catch the Saints’ attention. Here’s the full list of players set to hit the open market:

CB Aqib Talib
DE Trent Harris (ERFA)
DT John Jenkins
DT Kendrick Norton (ERFA)
FS Walt Aikens
FS Adrian Colbert (ERFA)
LB Vince Biegel (RFA)
LB Deon Lacey (RFA)
LB Chase Allen (RFA)
OG Evan Boehm
OT J’Marcus Webb
P Matt Haack (RFA)
TE Clive Walford
WR Trevor Davis
WR Isaiah Ford (ERFA)

Talib missed most of the 2019 season with a rib injury, and he’s on the back end of his career at 34. But he could be worth a look for the cornerback-needy Saints. Talib is one of the few corners to have successfully shut down Michael Thomas (limiting the two-time All-Pro to just 36 yards in the 2018 NFC Championship Game) but he won’t have much leverage to ask for high contract demands. 2020 could be his last year in the NFL.

However, a more realistic name to watch is Walford. The 28-year-old tight end has bounced around the league a bit, but he still possesses the high-end athleticism he showed in college and that got him drafted early by the Oakland Raiders back in 2015. Jared Cook is in a contract year and depth behind Josh Hill was exposed as perilous last year, so the Saints could make a move to strengthen the depth chart.

Boehm is another pending free agent to keep in mind. He’s a versatile backup with upside as a starter, who has played games at both guard and center. While the Saints should be looking for more of a sure thing to replace left guard Andrus Peat, Boehm would be good competition for Nick Easton and Will Clapp on the left side.

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Best potential Rams targets for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints could target pending free agents from the Los Angeles Rams in what promises to be a busy 2020 signing period.

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Where could the New Orleans Saints look for improvements when free agency kicks off in March? Their search for upgrades will lead them throughout the NFL, including the rosters of conference rivals like the Los Angeles Rams. Here’s the list of Rams free agents set to hit the open market:

CB Nickell Robey-Coleman (Club Option)
DE Dante Fowler Jr.
DE Morgan Fox (RFA)
DT Michael Brockers
K Greg Zuerlein
LB Cory Littleton
LB Bryce Hager
LB Josh Carraway (ERFA)
OC Coleman Shelton (ERFA)
OG Austin Blythe
OT Andrew Whitworth
OT Kyle Murphy
QB Blake Bortles
SS Donte Deayon (RFA)
SS Marqui Christian
TE Johnny Mundt (ERFA)
WR Jojo Natson (RFA)
WR Mike Thomas

Of this group, Littleton is clearly the best prospect headed for free agency. He earned his stripes on special teams before proving himself a valuable defender, racking up a statline that includes 5 interceptions (22 total passes defensed), 2 forced fumbles (4 recoveries), 15 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks and 9 quarterback hits the last two years, along with 259 combined tackles. He’ll be one of the top earners in free agency and would be a tremendous compliment to Demario Davis, but is probably well outside the Saints’ price range.

A more affordable free agency target may be Blythe, a versatile starter with experience at both guard and center. The Saints could use a new starter at left guard and Blythe would make sense as competition for (or as an alternative to) Nick Easton. He shouldn’t command as large a contract as other guards on the market, including two-time Pro Bowl alternate Andrus Peat.

Lastly: is Bortles condemned to hold a clipboard for the rest of his career? If so, the Saints could do worse in pursuit of a backup quarterback (remember the summer of Tom Savage?). By no means should Bortles ever be expected to take the field, and it’s valid to think that disqualifies him, but the fact is the Saints could use someone with starter’s experience between Drew Brees and Taysom Hill. Maybe Bortles’ turnover-riddled starting experience could be instructive for Hill as an example of how not to play the position.

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Chargers TE Hunter Henry could fit the Saints

Los Angeles Chargers TE Hunter Henry should be a free agent target for the New Orleans Saints as a compliment to Jared Cook and Josh Hill.

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How can the New Orleans Saints offense improve in 2020? It could really benefit from the addition of another pass-catcher, particularly at wide receiver, but the options in free agency appear to be fairly limited. That’s a position the Saints may have to target in the draft instead. But they could achieve a similar effect by adding a pass-catching threat at another position. And if that’s a strategy that appeals to them, the Los Angeles Chargers have some intriguing free agents to consider:

CB Jaylen Watkins
CB Michael Davis (ERFA)
DT Damion Square
DT Sylvester Williams
DT Isaac Rochell (RFA)
FB Derek Watt
FS Adrian Phillips
LB Nick Dzubnar
LB Jatavis Brown
OC Dillon DeBoer (RFA)
OG Michael Schofield
OG Ryan Groy
OG Spencer Drango (RFA)
OG Trenton Scott (ERFA)
QB Philip Rivers
RB Melvin Gordon
RB Troymaine Pope (RFA)
RB Austin Ekeler (RFA)
TE Hunter Henry
TE Lance Kendricks
TE Sean Culkin (RFA)
WR Travis Benjamin
WR Geremy Davis
WR Dylan Cantrell (ERFA)

Hunter Henry would be a fascinating addition for the Saints as the third tight end, working primarily as a pass-catching threat behind Jared Cook and Josh Hill. While Cook seems poised for a huge year after his strong finish in 2019, Hill is best suited for work as a blocker. They could coexist with Hill and Henry rotating in on run or pass downs with Cook lining up all over the field as an inline tight end or a big slot receiver. It’s just unclear whether the Saints would accept Henry’s contract demands for that limited role.

Guards Michael Schofield and Ryan Groy would also make sense for the Saints, who appear to be moving on from two-time Pro Bowl alternate Andrus Peat. Groy spent the offseason with the Saints competing for a backup job, while Schofield would be a decent veteran addition. Neither of them would be expected to start, but they could be solid depth behind Nick Easton and Will Clapp.

On defense, keep an eye on safety Adrian Phillips. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2018 but spent the first half of 2019 on injured reserve with a broken arm. He’d be a nice upgrade from Vonn Bell at strong safety if the Saints don’t re-sign the incumbent starter, but Phillips may be asking for more money than the Saints want to commit at the position with Marcus Williams’ big contract extension coming up.

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Top Raiders targets for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints could consider Oakland Raiders pending free agents like Mike Glennon, Daryl Worley, and Benson Mayowa in 2020.

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The Raiders will be on the move in 2020, relocating from Oakland to Las Vegas with a tough slate of opponents lined up for their inaugural season — including the New Orleans Saints. Before that, though, both squads must sort through lengthy lists of pending free agents as they seek to cut dead weight and improve their roster. That means some Raiders players could appeal to the Saints once they hit the open market. Here’s the full list:

CB Daryl Worley
CB Makinton Dorleant (ERFA)
CB D.J. Killings (ERFA)
DE Benson Mayowa
DE Olsen Pierre
DE Dion Jordan
DE Jeremiah Valoaga (ERFA)
DT Josh Mauro
FS Curtis Riley
K Daniel Carlson (ERFA)
LB Will Compton
LB Vontaze Burfict
LB Kyle WIlber
LB Nicholas Morrow (RFA)
LB Ukeme Eligwe (RFA)
LS Trent Sieg (ERFA)
OG Jordan Devey
OG Richie Incognito
OG Cameron Hunt (ERFA)
OT David Sharpe
QB Mike Glennon
QB Nathan Peterman (RFA)
RB Isaiah Crowell
RB Rod Smith
RB DeAndre Washington
SS Karl Joseph
SS Dallin Leavitt (ERFA)
TE Eric Tomlinson
WR Dwayne Harris
WR Keelan Doss (ERFA)

How much stock should we put in Sean Payton’s past praise of Mike Glennon? The Saints head coach admitted he was a fan of Glennon’s back when he first entered the NFL (as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft pick), and it’s possible Payton looks to Glennon as a backup should Teddy Bridgewater leave in free agency. We would prefer the Saints to find someone better-skilled than Glennon, but he fits the bill as a veteran clipboard-holder.

Karl Joseph could be a name worth monitoring here. While he hasn’t lived up to his draft status, Joseph is an experienced safety who could help replace Vonn Bell (if the Saints don’t re-sign their starting strong safety). Joseph has averaged 4.8 tackles per game in his four-year career and may benefit from a change of scenery.

Keep an eye on Daryl Worley; he’s been credited with 34 pass deflections in four years, and the Saints should have some familiarity with him since he began his career with the Carolina Panthers. Worley has the size (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) and starter’s experience that could benefit a team short-handed at corner like New Orleans.

Lastly: Benson Mayowa makes sense at defensive end, but the Saints may have to splurge if he’s a target. The 28-year-old finally broke out after spending his first six years as a career backup, logging 7 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in 2019. While he’d be a nice pickup while Marcus Davenport rehabs his surgically-repaired foot, this is Mayowa’s chance to cash in on the free agent market, and the Saints may not be willing to pay up.

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