Tag: restricted

Saints re-sign LB Andrew Dowell, adding depth and a big help on special teams

The New Orleans Saints announced that they have re-signed linebacker Andrew Dowell, adding depth behind Demario Davis and a big help on special teams:

This is good to see: the New Orleans Saints announced Monday that they have re-signed linebacker Andrew Dowell, one of their few restricted free agents. Dowell has spent his entire NFL career with New Orleans after first signing with them as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State back in 2019 — after starting out on the practice squad, he earned a roster spot with his skills on special teams, where he’s played 340 and 377 snaps over the last two years.

He also brings a nice boost to the depth chart behind Demario Davis and Pete Werner. Dowell could be on the same path as Kaden Elliss last year, having proven his value in the kicking game before earning greater opportunities on defense. His coaches and teammates know him well and he could be in line for a bigger role in 2023. We’ll just have to wait and see how things shake out in the 2023 draft and as free agency marches on.

Right now, the Saints linebacker corps includes Dowell, Davis, Werner, Nephi Sewell, Ryan Connelly, and Ty Summers, with Zack Baun and D’Marco Jackson returning from season-ending injuries.

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4 restricted free agents the Saints should pursue in their next wave of signings

Restricted free agents don’t count into the compensatory draft picks formula. These are 4 names the Saints should pursue in their next wave of signings:

How much consideration are the New Orleans Saints giving to their projected compensatory draft picks in 2024? The team doesn’t usually pay much mind to how their moves in free agency cost them draft assets later on down the road, but if there’s a year to be careful about it, it’s this one. The Saints currently projected to receive three or four comp picks in the 2024 draft between rounds four, five, and six, which would do a lot to help them restock the roster with affordable depth on rookie contracts.

But signing free agents wipes out the comp picks you’d otherwise receive — most times. There are a couple of loopholes, though. For one thing, any free agents who were cut by their last team do not count (and we’ve highlighted four possible targets here). For another, players who carry restricted free agent status (usually those with just three or fewer years’ experience) also don’t count. So what’s the catch?

These are usually young players who haven’t earned a long-term extension with their last team either due to injury or inconsistent play; the Saints’ own list of unsigned restricted free agents includes wide receiver Marquez Callaway, defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, and linebackers Chase Hansen and Andrew Dowell.

There’s a tradeoff in signing them to guard future comp picks just like in signing veterans who were released by their last team due to their age, injury, or decreased production. But sometimes you can find a diamond in the rough. Here are four names who should be on the Saints’ radar:

Report: Saints won’t tender restricted free agent WR Marquez Callaway

ESPN reports the Saints are not expected to tender restricted free agent wide receiver Marquez Callaway, who led the team in receiving in 2021. He’ll test the market:

This isn’t totally unexpected, but it’s still worth noting: the New Orleans Saints are not expected to issue a restricted free agent tender to wide receiver Marquez Callaway prior to the start of the new league year on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Callaway led the Saints with 698 receiving yards and 6 touchdown catches in 2021 (with his 46 receptions ranking second-most behind Alvin Kamara’s 47) but saw a reduced role in 2022 following the additions of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and injury-shortened appearances by both Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry.

It’s disappointing to see the team not make a stronger effort to retain someone who has played well in the past, but that might not make sense with the cost involved. The lowest RFA tender costs a fully-guaranteed $2,627,000 against the salary cap in 2023, and it only gives the Saints the right to match any contract offers Callaway gets from other teams — something they may be able to do anyway if they’re on good terms with his agent.

Still, this suggests he isn’t a big part of their plans moving forward. The receivers under contract with the Saints in 2023 include Olave, Shaheed, Tre’Quan Smith, Kirk Merritt, Kawaan Baker, and Kieth Kirkwood. New Orleans has had productive talks with Thomas on a contract extension but Landry is expected to hit free agency (as is Deonte Harty). If Callaway leaves for a new team, the Saints will not receive a compensatory draft pick for him because of his restricted status.

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NFL delays offseason activities indefinitely due to coronavirus threat

The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to indefinitely delay a number of 2020 offseason activities in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

While the National Football League has elected to go forward with free agency and the start of the new league year, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to suspend a number of activities in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Below is the opening of the official press release, announcing offseason activities will be delayed indefinitely and access to club facilities will be restricted for the near future to ensure player and staff safety.

“The NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today announced that, following discussions with NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and consultations between the medical teams for the NFL and NFLPA, and based on coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance from public health officials, NFL clubs will delay indefinitely the start of their off-season programs.  In addition, special procedures will be in place for the start of the new League Year until further notice.”

The first phase of organized team activities (OTAs) was set to kick off on April 6 for teams with new head coaches and April 20 for all other clubs.

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