Saints News Network

First Glimpse: 2021 Saints Free Agents

Taking a comprehensive look at the impending free agents the Saints will have to make some decisions on in 2021.

John Hendrix

The Saints are in the postseason for the fourth straight year, which means all the plays and decisions made in each playoff game will go under a collective microscope. There's a lot riding on this run, as New Orleans is looking to make the most of what could be Drew Brees' last ride. Up first is the Chicago Bears at home in the Wild Card round on Sunday. 

It's no secret that the Saints have had some major success and hits with their starters and depth, and because of that, some of their players will be up for big contracts and find themselves moving on from New Orleans. Here's a comprehensive list as of Wednesday who may or may not be with the team when free agency starts in March.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (1)

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.

  • Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR (23)

Restricted Free Agents (3)

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.

  • Jake Kumerow, WR (29)
  • J.T. Gray, DB (25)

Unrestricted Free Agents (19)

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.

  • Jared Cook, TE (34)
  • Sheldon Rankins, DT (27)
  • Craig Robertson, LB (33)
  • P.J. Williams, DB (28)
  • Marcus Williams, FS (24)
  • Justin Hardee, CB (27)
  • Johnson Bademosi, CB (31)
  • Jameis Winston, QB (27)
  • D.J. Swearinger, S (30)
  • Ty Montgomery, RB (28)
  • Michael Burton, FB (29)
  • Dwayne Washington, RB (27)
  • James Hurst, OL (29)
  • Ken Crawley, CB (28)
  • Bennie Fowler, WR (30)
  • Noah Spence, DE (29)
  • Alex Anzalone, LB (26)
  • Trey Hendrickson, DE (26)
  • Cameron Tom, OL (26)
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