The New Orleans Saints improved in free agency. Even so, their moves are seeing mixed reviews.
Some are enamored with the Saints’ addition of star running back Travis Etienne and the needs they filled with players like linebacker Kaden Elliss and offensive lineman David Edwards. Others are not so excited about what the team got done in the early free agent period.
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While the Saints left some moves on the table, one analyst seems to love what New Orleans accomplished. ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak gave the Saints the fourth-best offseason in the league this year.
“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.
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-highest target getter, and running back Alvin Kamara (fourth with 39 targets) has an uncertain future with the team.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Howell (8) hands the ball off to running back Ty Chandler (32) against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The wide receiver position stands as a glaring issue that the Saints have far from addressed. The same could be said for defensive line where the team has a void after Cameron Jordan departed in free agency. When a team lacks at two positions to the degree that the Saints do, it can almost completely rearrange a draft board. That may not be what the team wants to do, but is forced to consider given how inadequate those positions stand right now.
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All the above noted, the team more than addressed its running back need with Etienne and Ty Chandler in free agency. And given its salary cap situation, perhaps that’s all that they could have reasonably asked for this offseason.