March 28, 2026, 2:13 p.m. CT

A free agency spending spree may have not boosted the New Orleans Saints‘ reputation from many NFL power rankings, but ESPN’s Ben Solak disagrees. Solak ranked all 32 teams’ free agency performances and he argues just three teams did more to improve their rosters this spring. New Orleans was ranked fourth-best out of 32. Here’s why Solak was so impressed by the signings of left guard David Edwards, running back Travis Etienne Jr., and linebacker Kaden Elliss:

I loved: The overall approach. The Saints didn’t have a ton of cap space, as they’re still extricating themselves from void years of seasons past. But the light is on the horizon, and what space they had they used well.

Edwards is an older player, but guards can age well, and he was the most talented player on the market at that position. Etienne isn’t enough of a playmaker to be a dominant three-down back, but he’s an excellent 1A in a committee, bringing a well-rounded skill set. Elliss is a uniquely good blitzer who will give defensive coordinator Brandon Staley a useful curveball as an off-ball/on-ball hybrid. The Saints gave out only three significant contracts, but I like all three.

We’re already seeing the Saints change their philosophy to free agent contracts, as all three of these bigger deals were structured simply without void years. It’s a good place to be in as older contracts with guys like Derek Carr, Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu, and Cameron Jordan work their way off the books. There’s still work to be done, but New Orleans got better with each of these moves.

As for what’s next? Solak shared his take on what should be their next priority: upgrading the receiving corps.

I didn’t love: Wide receiver depth was an issue in New Orleans even before Rashid Shaheed was traded at the deadline last year. Chris Olave (156 targets) rightfully dominates when he’s healthy and available, and Juwan Johnson (102 targets) enjoyed a little breakout as a high-volume stick mover. But Shaheed (66 targets) still ended the season as the third-most-targeted receiver, and running back Alvin Kamara (fourth with 39 targets) has an uncertain future with the team.

The Saints desperately need a big-bodied receiver who can take six or more targets per game, and 10-plus when Olave misses time. Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate at No. 8 overall, anyone?

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Devaughn Vele is someone the Saints hope can step up and be that big target at the first down marker, and he did show a knack for winning contested catches and holding onto tough passes over the middle of the field. But he wasn’t a regular part of the offense until his last five games and his body wasn’t able to hold up to the punishment that came with a heavier workload. The Saints shut him down with a shoulder injury for the last three weeks of the season. You’d like to think he can bounce back and take some pressure off Olave, but we’ve got to see it to believe it. That’s also true of guys like Ja’Lynn Polk and Trey Palmer who missed the entire 2025 season with injuries.

Have the Saints already done enough to put themselves over the top in the NFC South? Maybe, maybe not. Just two wins separated themselves from the other teams in the division, and Solak put the Atlanta Falcons at a distant No. 15, with the reigning-champ Carolina Panthers a bit further back at No. 17. A Mike Evans-less Tampa Bay Buccaneers team in decline fell to No. 22. New Orleans could really surprise some people by making up so much ground in an already competitive division. They just need to follow up this strong free agent class with some smart investments in the 2026 NFL Draft.