Two New Orleans Saints Named Among Top Free Agents
NFL free agency is just a few short weeks away. The New Orleans Saints are working feverishly to get compliant with next year's salary cap in order to address some of their needs through free agent signings. They are expected to get under the cap mostly through contract restructures of their current players, rather than outright releases.
The Saints have already restructured the deals of QB Derek Carr, C Erik McCoy, G Cesar Ruiz, and DT Nathan Shepherd. Those moves have cut over $40 million off the over $80 million that the team was over the cap. Several more moves like that are on the way, meaning that the Saints will need to cut few, if any, of their current players.
While New Orleans may not be adding to the upcoming free-agent pool of players, there are a few of the team's unrestricted free agents that are expected to change teams.
NFL.com writer and Around the NFL co-host Greg Rosenthal outlined his top 101 free agent targets for NFL teams. Only two New Orleans players were listed by Rosenthal, both near the bottom of his rankings.
94 - Jameis Winston, QB
His hilarious insubordination in the Saints' season finale notwithstanding, Winston has barely played since Sean Payton left town. Still just 30, he’s got more talent and experience than almost any backup option out there.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) passes against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Winston was among seven quarterbacks on Rosenthal's list. Gardner Minshew (97) and Tyrod Taylor (98) were ranked behind him. Kirk Cousins (2), Jacoby Brissett (30), Baker Mayfield (31), and Ryan Tannehill (72) were slotted ahead of him.
The first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston completed 61.3% of his throws for 19,737 yards with 121 touchdowns, 88 interceptions, and a 28-42 record as a starter in five years with Tampa Bay. That included a 5,000-yard campaign with 33 touchdowns but 30 interceptions in 2019.
Signed by Sean Payton to back up Drew Brees in 2020, Winston took over starting duties in New Orleans in 2021. He was lost for the year with a knee injury after seven games, then sidelined again with back and foot injuries after three games in 2022. In four years with the Saints, Winston completed 59.9% of his passes for 2,367 yards with 20 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 6-4 record as a starter.
Saints coach Dennis Allen has made it pretty clear that he doesn't feel comfortable with Winston, who's still good enough to start for at least a handful of teams. What isn't clear is whether New Orleans feels comfortable enough to go with the inexperienced Jake Haener behind starter Derek Carr, or whether they'll add a veteran with some starting experience.
101 - Michael Thomas, WR
Thomas hasn’t been healthy enough to play a full season since 2019, but he showed flashes of his old form in 10 games last year. He’s worth a flier just for the social accounts.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) catches a pass against Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26). Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Definitely seems way too low for Thomas, with 10 other wideouts listed ahead of him. Yes, he's missed 48 of the last 67 games with injuries, including the last seven of 2023. While no longer the league's best receiver, as he was entering 2020, he's still an effective weapon when he can stay on the field.
Despite poor play-calling and a clear disconnect between he and Derek Carr, Thomas had 39 receptions for 448 yards and a touchdown. He's still an elite route runner with excellent hands and the ability to physically overwhelm cornerbacks.
It won't be with the Saints.
Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have emerged as the top New Orleans wideouts. After several not-so-subtle shots at Carr, Allen, and the organization, the Saints are almost certainly willing to eat the dead cap money on the remaining voided years on Thomas' contract.
New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas (13) breaks a tackle by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Tony Brown (38). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY
It'll turn out to be an ugly split between the Saints and Thomas, arguably the best wideout in franchise history. He has 565 career receptions for 6,569 yards and 36 touchdowns, with most of that coming over his first four years of record-breaking dominance.
Thomas is second in franchise history in career receptions and fourth in receiving yardage. He has the top three season marks in team history for receptions and top two for receiving yards in a season. His 149 receptions in 2019 remains an NFL single-season record.
Interestingly, Rosenthal overlooked a few New Orleans free agents that could attract attention on the open market. Offensive lineman Andrus Peat, CB Isaac Yiadom, DT Malcolm Roach, and LB Zack Baun could all be brought back by the Saints after key contributions last season.
