New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

The two first-rounder ask reminded of the Buccaneers’ 2002 trade for Gruden, which required two firsts and two seconds. The Jets traded first-, second-, third- and fourth-rounders for Bill Parcells in 1997. Bill Belichick also cost the Patriots a first in 2000. Rather than complete a minor trade — like the Bucs’ 2019 swap for Bruce Arians‘ rights or the Chiefs’ 2006 Herm Edwards acquisition — the Saints and Broncos agreed on a deal in the Gruden-Parcells ballpark. The Saints collecting first- and second-round picks from the Broncos for Payton gave them a second chance in the ’23 first round; it also meant that pick ended up changing hands three times. The 49ers dealt it to the Dolphins in the Trey Lance swap, and Miami sent it to Denver for Bradley Chubb at last year’s trade deadline.

Re-signings:

• Juwan Johnson, TE. Two years. $12MM ($8.51MM guaranteed)
• Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE: Two years, $5MM ($2.5MM guaranteed)
• Keith Kirkwood, WR: One year, $1.1MM
• Malcolm Roach, DT: One year, $1.1MM
• Calvin Throckmorton, OL: One year, $940K

Rather than tender Johnson as an RFA, the Saints locked down the converted wide receiver on a nice compromise. Dalton’s non-Olave go-to last season, Johnson broke through for 508 receiving yards and seven TDs. This move gives Johnson, 27 next month, a nice upfront payment. The guarantee doubles the cost of a second-round RFA tender, and the through-2024 agreement offers the Saints an extra year of control. While the Saints were busy at tight end this offseason, Johnson should remain the group’s pass-catching centerpiece. The converted wideout building on his mini-breakout year will be a boon for Carr, as his nominal WR2 — Michael Thomas — is one of the NFL’s least reliable players.

Notable losses:

• Marquez Callaway, WR
• Andy Dalton, QB
• Marcus Davenport, DE
• Kaden Elliss, LB
• Justin Evans, S
• Chris Harris, CB
• Deonte Harty, WR
• Mark Ingram, RB (retired)
• David Johnson, RB
• Jarvis Landry, WR
• David Onyemata, DT
• Daniel Sorensen, S
• Kentavius Street, DL
• Shy Tuttle, DT
• Nick Vannett, TE
• Dwayne Washington, RB
• P.J. Williams, DB

Quickly setting their sights on Carr, the Saints are not believed to have discussed a Dalton extension. The longtime Bengals starter-turned-nomad contributed his most relevant post-Cincinnati work in New Orleans, re-establishing himself as a starter. Dalton supplanting Winston and completing a career-high 66.7% of his passes — at 7.6 yards per attempt, the Red Rifle’s second-highest career number — produced a 7-10 record and did not lead to a starter market. Dalton, 35, still did well, securing the most guaranteed money ($8MM) of any backup this offseason. Dalton playing out his two-year Carolina contract as Bryce Young‘s mentor would bring him to 14 seasons.

Davenport closed a high-variance tenure with a half-sack season, managing just eight QB hits in 15 games. The inconsistent Cameron Jordan wingman registered nine sacks in 2021 and six in 2019. The Vikings are gambling on the potential of a player that once cost the Saints a future first-rounder to acquire.

Departing co-DC Ryan Nielsen took both Onyemata and Elliss with him to Atlanta. Due to void years present on Onyemata’s second Saints deal, the longtime D-tackle starter not signing a third contract led to a $10.2MM dead-money charge. A seven-year Saint, Onyemata started 68 games with the team and played an auxiliary role in New Orleans reviving its defensive operation in the late 2010s. Despite the Saints investing first-round picks in Davenport and Payton Turner, Onyemata (23 sacks as a Saint) was the most consistent Jordan complement in recent years.

Operating in Demario Davis-like fashion, Elliss managed an impressive seven sacks from an off-ball linebacker spot. He and Davis helped the Saints, despite Davenport’s no-show and Turner’s developmental struggles, finish with 48 sacks — fifth-most in the NFL. Elliss’ breakout contract year resulted in Pro Football Focus ranking him seventh among off-ball ‘backers.

Ingram had hoped to play a 13th season, but he ended up a FOX college analyst. Ingram’s second tour of duty with the Saints did not produce too much of consequence, and the team reloaded behind Kamara — to the point Kareem Hunt visited. A depth chart with Kamara, Williams, Kendre Miller and Hunt — once Kamara’s suspension ended — would have been a bit crowded.

Ingram’s first run in New Orleans brought a late-blooming rise into one of the best backs in team history, and after the 2021 trade from Houston, the former Heisman winner used the second stint to pass Deuce McAllister to move into the top spot on the franchise’s all-time rushing list (6,500 yards). Ingram and Kamara’s 2017 showing remains one of the best by a running back tandem in NFL history.

Extensions and restructures:

• Gave DE Cameron Jordan fully guaranteed two-year, $27.5MM extension
• Reworked deal with WR Michael Thomas, retaining him for one year and $10MM ($6.26MM guaranteed)
• QB Jameis Winston agreed on pay cut, trimming 2023 compensation to $4MM
• Extended LS Zach Wood at four years, $6.31MM ($2.3MM guaranteed)
• G Andrus Peat accepted pay cut, creating $4MM in cap space
• Created $6MM in cap space by restructuring S Marcus Maye‘s contract
• Added nearly $13MM in cap space by restructuring QB/TE Taysom Hill, LB Demario Davis‘ deals
• Restructured K Wil Lutz, C Erik McCoy, T Ryan Ramczyk‘s deals, creating $20MM-plus in cap room
• Restructured DE Cameron Jordan, RB Alvin Kamara, CB Marshon Lattimore‘s contracts

An oft-restructured contract, Thomas’ five-year, $96.25MM did not pan out for the Saints. While the former second-rounder did set the NFL single-season reception record (149) in the season after signing the deal, the spate of injuries he encountered left it as an anchor on the perennially cap-strapped Saints’ payroll. A three-restructure offseason — even for the Saints, that is something — both created and then avoided a scenario in which a $31.8MM dead-money hit would have emerged had the sides not worked out another deal prior to March 17. But Thomas, 30, said he did not want to leave New Orleans, allowing for yet another comeback opportunity.

2020 became a well-known line of demarcation for Thomas’ career. Injuries have led to 39 missed games in the 2020s, with the 2021 season — when Thomas effectively went rogue with his rehab timetable — effectively ended the former All-Pro’s prime. After Thomas’ toe injury led to season-ending surgery last year, it appeared the Saints would walk away. Due to past restructures, however, Thomas has another chance in New Orleans.

Rashid Shaheed‘s status notwithstanding, Thomas looms as a surprisingly important component in the Saints’ first Carr-piloted offense. Rather than viewing Thomas as a wild card, the Saints need the former star to shake off his injury issues and recapture some semblance of his elite version — as a WR2 role alongside Olave awaits.

One of the NFL’s 21st-century reliability beacons, Jordan is now the Saints’ leader in official sacks (115.5). Trey Hendrickson‘s 2021 exit has hurt the Saints, stripping away Jordan’s best bookend (for one season, at least). But the 12-year veteran keeps chugging along. Post-Davenport and Onyemata, however, the Saints will need another big season from Jordan.

Although the 2011 first-rounder is now 34, having zero injury history (two missed NFL games) will work in his longevity favor as he is now locked in through his mid-30s. Like 2011 draft classmate Jason Kelce, Jordan has used his 30s to create a strong Hall of Fame case. Jordan has earned three original-ballot Pro Bowl nods over the past four seasons. With a host of non-Hall of Famers ahead of Jordan (23rd) on the official sack list — from Jared Allen (136) to John Abraham (133.5) to Dwight Freeney (125.5) — the Saints cornerstone should not be considered a lock yet. But he can use this fourth Saints contract to secure Canton entry.

Whereas Dalton used his surprise starter year — at just $3MM — to land atop this year’s QB2 market, Winston was forced to settle for midlevel backup dough. Winston scored a two-year, $28MM deal in 2022, doing so despite tearing his ACL midway through the 2021 season. Losing his job to Dalton due to injury last year, Winston will still head into his fourth Saints season. The Saints face a $10.7MM 2024 cap penalty if Winston walks next year, due to more void-year chicanery.

You’ll never believe this, but four void years are also present in Jordan’s through-2025 extension. The Buccaneers overshadowed the Saints, for a change, for negative cap space entering the offseason. But NFL’s cap-navigating kingpins were still $50MM over at one point this offseason, restoring some order. Loomis’ brand of payroll navigation is not for everyone, but no team’s restructure efforts are more interesting.

Draft:

• Round 1, No. 29 (from 49ers through Dolphins and Broncos): Bryan Bresee, DT (Clemson) (signed)
• Round 2, No. 40: Isaiah Foskey, DE (Notre Dame) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 71: Kendre Miller, RB (TCU) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 103 (from Bears): Nick Saldiveri, G (Old Dominion) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 127 (from Jaguars): Jake Haener, QB (Fresno State) (signed)
• Round 5, No. 146: Jordan Howden, S (Minnesota) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 195 (from Steelers through Broncos): A.T. Perry, WR (Wake Forest) (signed)

The Saints attempted to be the fourth team to trade this particular first-round pick, with USC wideout Jordan Addison believed to be on their radar. Taking a receiver early would have made sense for the Saints, given their non-Olave receiving situation. But they went with the one-time top recruit in the country. Bresee did not deliver on his 2020 prospect status, seeing a 2021 ACL tear sidetrack him. Bresee made it back from that injury by the start of last season and still profiles as a promising interior disruptor. Now that he is nearly two years removed from the tear, the Saints should see a better version of former five-star recruit.

Foskey illustrated the team’s interest in helping restock Jordan’s supporting cast, and he does bring rare college production to Louisiana. The ex-Brian Kelly recruit is coming off back-to-back 10-plus-sack seasons. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. still viewed Foskey as more of a third-round talent, slotting him 77th in this class.

The Saints possess an interesting armada of defensive end alongside Jordan. Foskey will team with Turner, Carl Granderson (5.5 sacks last year) and Kpassagnon. Much still could hinge on Turner, who plummeted to healthy-scratch status at points last year. But Bresee and Foskey represent important investments up front for a team reliant on a 34-year-old D-end and one that lost its other established vets.

Other:

• RB Alvin Kamara handed three-game suspension in connection with 2022 arrest
• Declined $14.18MM fifth-year option on G Cesar Ruiz
• Co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen became Falcons’ DC; team parted ways with co-DC Kris Richard
• Hired Joe Woods as defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham as D-line coach
• Added former All-Pro G Jahri Evans to coaching staff

A six-game suspension was in play; this outcome appears lenient for the Saints. Their offseason suggests they joined Kamara in bracing for a six-game ban. Losing arguably the best running back in team history for a third of the season would have slowed the start of the Carr era. But Miller and the Williamses provide more protection than the Saints possessed last year.

The Darrel Williams add also brings insurance for Miller, who has missed most of the Saints’ 2023 work. Used sparingly in the passing game at TCU, Miller does not profile as a Kamara-type back. And the Saints may also be hesitant to deploy their third-round pick immediately. This points to plenty of Jamaal Williams in September. Miller recently reinjured the knee he hurt in the Fiesta Bowl, and while the Saints do not expect this injury to sideline him long, a sprain following a New Year’s Eve meniscus tear does not paint a picture of early-season reliability.

All offensive linemen are grouped together under the fifth-year option formula, leaving teams tougher choices with first-round guards and centers — especially now that options are fully guaranteed. This could benefit Ruiz, who is now positioned to cash in a year earlier. The Saints moved Ruiz, who finished his Michigan career at center, to guard immediately and have used him as a starter throughout his career. Ruiz (40 starts) will need to rebound from the Lisfranc injury that halted him in December, but the guard market has soared in recent years.

The Saints have continually made big investments up front, but with Andrus Peat suddenly not assured of keeping his starting left guard job, he should not be considered a lock to stay in 2024. That said, the prospect of a Ruiz contract effectively replacing Peat’s on the payroll is complicated by Carr’s deal. Then again, the Saints do not let such issues stand in the way of business. Another round of restructures opens the door to Ruiz joining Erik McCoy and Ryan Ramczyk as extended O-linemen.

Woods, 53, catching on so quickly was a bit surprising. Miscommunications plagued the Browns’ defense last season, and the team dropped from 11th to 23rd in defensive DVOA from 2021-22. Woods worked with Dennis Allen in Oakland, serving as the Raiders’ DBs coach in 2014. Like Carr, Woods did not spend much time with Allen that year, with the then-third-year HC being canned in September 2014. Woods’ Broncos defenses did not measure up to Wade Phillips‘ units, but they were perhaps better than most remember. DVOA slotted the Woods-led units 10th (2017) and fifth (2018), as QB play sunk each squad. Woods also rebuilt his stock as the 49ers’ defensive pass-game coordinator in 2019.

Still, it was interesting to see the Saints interview one candidate and fill the position. Woods, who is also reuniting with ex-Broncos first-rounder Bradley Roby, will have a chance to coach a veteran-laden defense. Jordan, Lattimore and Davis lead the way, though the team losing Nielsen just as it needs to develop Bresee and Foskey could be a blow. Nielsen had been the Saints’ D-line boss for six years.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

1. Cameron Jordan, DE: $16.94MM
2. Michael Thomas, WR: $14.45MM
3. Marshon Lattimore, CB: $11.73MM
4. Ryan Ramczyk, RT: $11.11MM
5. Andrus Peat, G: $8.85MM
6. Alvin Kamara, RB: $8.16MM
7. Demario Davis, LB: $7.61MM
8. Derek Carr, QB: $7.2MM
9. Taysom Hill, TE/QB: $6.87MM
10. James Hurst, OL: $6.76MM

Carr leaves a division housing Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert for one full of QB reboots. A declining Tom Brady barely kept the Buccaneers afloat last season, with Baker Mayfield likely to succeed the all-time great. The Falcons have shown tremendous confidence in Desmond Ridder, who submitted uneven four-start evidence of QB1 ability. While this year’s NFC South makeup does little to bury the Panthers’ hopes of riding Young to a surprise playoff spot, the Saints look to be the safest bet.

With the division in transition and Jordan and Davis in their mid-30s, this profiles as a critical season for the Saints to capitalize. Carr’s arrival likely will not generate Super Bowl buzz, but the Saints are in a better position than they were last year.