Saints Free Agency Focus: Safety

It would be a little surprising if New Orleans addressed the safety position in free agency, but here are some talented available players if they do.

Author:
Bob Rose
Publish date:
Mar 17, 2023 3:15 PM EDT

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New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints went into the 2022 season with a completely new set of safeties. Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye were big-name free agency additions that replaced starters Marcus Williams and Malcolm Jenkins. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was traded in training camp during an ugly contract dispute. P.J. Williams returned, but was limited by injuries all season.

Mathieu played better down the stretch, but struggled mightily with positioning and tackling. Maye missed seven games with injury and didn't stand out when he was in the lineup. Veteran pickups Justin Evans and Daniel Sorensen were often liabilities.

Maye and Mathieu were both restructured this offseason, ending some speculation that the Saints would move on from at least one of them. Williams, Evans, and Sorensen are all free agents. New Orleans could bring back one of them, probably Williams, at the right price to join re-signed special teams standout J.T. Gray.

With Mathieu and Maye back and 2022 undrafted rookie Smoke Monday returning from injury, it seems unlikely that the Saints have much free-agent movement at safety. If they do, here are a few names to watch.

Notable Free Agent Safeties

Sep 19, 2021; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (32) runs an interception back for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY

*age and previous team in parentheses

• C.J. Gardner-Johnson (24 - Eagles)

• Taylor Rapp (24 - Rams)

• John Johnson (27 - Browns)

• Eric Rowe (30 - Dolphins)

• Mike Edwards (26 - Buccaneers)

• Adrian Amos (29 - Packers)

• Juston Burris (29 - Panthers)

• Jalen Mills (29 - Patriots)

• LaMarcus Joyner (32 - Jets)

• Terrell Edmunds (26 - Steelers)

Let's get this out of the way: Gardner-Johnson is the position's most talented and versatile player on the market, but he will NOT be returning to the Saints. Most importantly, his salary demands are extraordinarily high. However, his immaturity also led to an ugly break-up with New Orleans that's unlikely to be resolved.

The Saints aren't going to pay out big money to a high-priced starter, which probably rules out Rapp, Johnson, and Amos, as well as Gardner-Johnson. Eight-year veteran Rowe has shown a slippage in his play the last two years, but could be a capable backup.

Joyner is still a quality free safety that had three interceptions last year. He no longer has the range to play in a single-high alignment, but would allow Maye or Mathieu to play the slot in a three safety look.

Edmunds is a former first-rounder who struggles in coverage, but plays well in the box. Mills is a former corner that can still cover the slot and excel in off-ball looks.

Burris is a physical player that would bring starting experience to the position's depth. Edwards is an instinctive safety that has 7 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns the last three seasons. He and Burris have plenty of experience against NFC South receivers.

Oct 11, 2020; Carolina Panthers safety Juston Burris (31) intercepts a pass against Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (83). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

The restructures to Mathieu and Maye probably rules out the signing of a free agent safety. Don't be surprised if the Saints bring back P.J. Williams on a one-year deal, something they've done the last four years. If they don't, then bringing in a player like Edwards, Joyner, or Burris for versatile depth becomes a stronger possibility.

New Orleans needs more big plays from their safeties; it's why they replaced Williams and Jenkins with Maye and Mathieu. The Saints could also get younger and more athletic here through the draft. Playmakers like Ji'Ayir Brown (Penn State), Jordan Battle (Alabama), or Ronnie Hickman (Ohio State) could be available in the third round.