Salary cap casualties the Saints should target before 2024 free agency
Salary cap casualties the Saints should target before 2024 free agency
The NFL salary cap can be constrictive for some teams, particularly those whose owners don’t want to invest in their rosters. This leads to a lot of salary being shed in the weeks leading up to free agency as veteran players are let go around the league. And while cap casualties can be meaningful losses for some teams, the players becoming available can be a welcome upgrade for others.
With that in mind, our staff writers surveyed the landscape and picked players who have either already been released or are on their way out from their previous teams, and who could be good pickups for the New Orleans Saints. Many of them were cap cuts who can be signed immediately and without factoring into the 2025 compensatory draft picks formula. Here’s who we’re looking at:
With that in mind, our staff writers surveyed the landscape and picked players who have either already been released or are on their way out from their previous teams, and who could be good pickups for the New Orleans Saints. Many of them were cap cuts who can be signed immediately and without factoring into the 2025 compensatory draft picks formula. Here’s who we’re looking at:
QB Ryan Tannehill
It’s no secret the Saints have had an issue at quarterback – that goes for both backups and starters – since the retirement of the legendary Drew Brees. How far the Derek Carr era lasts before the Saints find their true guy will be something to watch, but it’s equally important to look at the rest of the depth chart.
Speaking of viable backups, the veteran Tannehill is one to consider in New Orleans. Injuries have limited him and caused him to lose his starting gig, but let’s not forget about the way his career initially ignited with a change of scenery when he found a home in Nashville after Miami. His starting days may not be over just yet, and if anything, he brings a solid addition to the room who can be relied upon for the Saints. — Crissy Froyd
Speaking of viable backups, the veteran Tannehill is one to consider in New Orleans. Injuries have limited him and caused him to lose his starting gig, but let’s not forget about the way his career initially ignited with a change of scenery when he found a home in Nashville after Miami. His starting days may not be over just yet, and if anything, he brings a solid addition to the room who can be relied upon for the Saints. — Crissy Froyd
DB Jamal Adams
Despite missing most of 2022 and about half of 2023, Jamal Adams would be an intriguing pickup for the Saints in the secondary. Maybe this is just a pick for the fun of it, because seeing Adams make bone crushing hits on opposing teams would be great, especially alongside Demario Davis on that defense. While his coverage is not good generally speaking, the ability to have a guy who can add additional pass rush to a team that has practically none half the time is interesting to say the least.
On top of that, he is very rarely penalized throughout his career, which says a lot about the type of football he plays, clean but strong handed. He can also line up pretty much anywhere, with 500+ snaps in his career alongside the defensive line (562), in the box (2,317), at free safety (1,416), and in the slot (973), he has shown that he can be a versatile piece. While he may not be a long term option, I certainly think alongside Tyrann Mathieu he would make a good complimentary player. And hey, if he can teach Jordan Howden how to leverage his size and power, even better. — Jeremy Trottier
On top of that, he is very rarely penalized throughout his career, which says a lot about the type of football he plays, clean but strong handed. He can also line up pretty much anywhere, with 500+ snaps in his career alongside the defensive line (562), in the box (2,317), at free safety (1,416), and in the slot (973), he has shown that he can be a versatile piece. While he may not be a long term option, I certainly think alongside Tyrann Mathieu he would make a good complimentary player. And hey, if he can teach Jordan Howden how to leverage his size and power, even better. — Jeremy Trottier
LB Jerome Baker
Jerome Baker was a team captain for the Miami Dolphins as a second year player and later became the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. This speaks volumes to the type of presence Baker is in the locker room. On the field, Baker hit or hovered around the 100 tackle mark four seasons in a row until last year. His 2023 campaign was disrupted by injuries that ultimately led to his release.
Baker won’t turn 28 until Christmas Day. He has the youth to be a valuable piece of the team for years to come, but would be coming in to be a big part of a defense. That would mean incorporating more three linebacker sets or diminishing Pete Werner’s role. Werner struggled last year, but was it enough to overshadow the potential of his first two seasons. — Darrion Gray
Baker won’t turn 28 until Christmas Day. He has the youth to be a valuable piece of the team for years to come, but would be coming in to be a big part of a defense. That would mean incorporating more three linebacker sets or diminishing Pete Werner’s role. Werner struggled last year, but was it enough to overshadow the potential of his first two seasons. — Darrion Gray
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
Emmanuel Ogbah isn’t the same player that he once was, but can still help out a pass rush. Despite playing just 25% of the Dolphins snaps last season, he was a valuable piece of their defense as he was still able to log 5.5 sacks. That would have still been enough for second among the defensive line group that Saints had last season. The Saints just desperately need more pressure so it would make sense to hit up a productive veteran. — Dylan Sanders
DB Jordan Poyer
As part of one of the best safety duos in the NFL for some type, Poyer has been a model of consistency during his time in Buffalo. Alongside Micah Hyde, Poyer became a pick magnet tallying up 22 interceptions in his seven years in Buffalo. Aside from his ballhawking ability, Poyer's just as effective playing downhill causing disruption in the run game. Having this balance and production makes Poyer an intriguing option for the Saints. With the change in prototype at safety in terms of the team wanting to be more versatile at the position, Poyer fits that exact mold. The team will have to find a replacement for Marcus Maye this offseason being that it's unlikely that they will give second year player Jordan Howden the starting job right away. With that being said, Poyer is 32 years old which means he won't be a long term option, but for next season he could certainly be a cheaper upgrade at the safety spot. — Luke Loffredo
OL Cody Whitehair
He’s not the player he used to be, but Whitehair could still be a solid addition to a struggling Saints offensive line. With Andrus Peat looking like his Saints days may be over, Whitehair could play a pivotal role upgrading James Hurst at left guard. I also like the wisdom and experience he brings that could potentially help mentor younger guys like Cesar Ruiz and Nick Saldiveri. — Jonny Camer
OL Laken Tomlinson
I’m also looking at the offensive line, specifically the left guard spot. Tomlinson is a player the coaching staff knows well; incoming offensive line coach John Benton worked with Tomlinson on the San Francisco 49erse from 2017 to 2020, and again on the New York Jets in 2022. He has a ton of experience with the offense and blocking assignments the Saints will be installing under Klint Kubiak, and he’d be a more affordable veteran at the position than James Hurst, who was a liability last year. Tomlinson recently turned 32 and his best days are behind him, but he can still help the Saints transition from one era to the next. — John Sigler
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