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.