Saints News Network

First Glimpse: 2020 New Orleans Saints Free Agents

A comprehensive look at the Saints players set to hit free agency for the 2020 NFL season.

John Hendrix

It wasn't supposed to end this way, but the New Orleans Saints are now having to look ahead to a new season after losing in the Wild Card round. While players and coaches will undoubtedly try to take a mental and physical break from things, the reality is that the future is uncertain for many. Free agency starts on Wednesday, March 18, and both Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis will have some decisions to make regarding a lot of key players.

Here's a look at the some 27 players the team will have to make decisions on over the next few months.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (3)

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA) – Player is not under contract, and has not reached three years of experience. If the team makes said player an offer at the three-year veteran minimum, the player has a ‘take it or leave it’ option. There is no negotiation with other teams.

  • J.T. Gray, DB (24)
  • Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR (22)
  • Keith Kirkwood, WR (26)

Restricted Free Agents (6)

Restricted Free Agent (RFA) – Player has only three years of experience, and would not have a contract with his current team. Any team would have the option to make a contract offer, but the team (Saints) would be able to match/retain that player with said offer.

  • Zach Wood, LS (27)
  • Justin Hardee, DB (26)
  • Cameron Tom, G (25)
  • Krishawn Hogan, WR (25)
  • Austin Carr, WR (26)
  • Taysom Hill, QB (30)

Unrestricted Free Agents (18)

Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) – Player is free to sign with any team. He would not have a contract with his current team. You would need to play four years, or get cut, to be in this category. This is a fluid list, as players like Manti Te'o, Noah Spence, and D.J. Swearinger were added late in the season.

  • Drew Brees, QB (41)
  • Teddy Bridgewater, QB (28)
  • A.J. Klein, LB (29)
  • Eli Apple, CB (25)
  • Ted Ginn Jr., WR (35)
  • Andrus Peat, T (26)
  • P.J. Williams, CB (27)
  • Zach Line, FB (30)
  • Vonn Bell, S (25)
  • Johnson Bademosi, CB (30)
  • Patrick Omameh, T (30)
  • Stephone Anthony, LB (28)
  • Josh Martin, LB (28)
  • Manti Te'o, LB (29)
  • David Onyemata, DT (27)
  • Noah Spence, DE (26)
  • Dwayne Washington, RB (26)
  • D.J. Swearinger, DB (28)
Published
John Hendrix
JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net