New Orleans Saints Could Look To These Free Agents For New Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak

With NFL free agency a little over a month away, here are some players with ties to Klint Kubiak that could fit the Saints.

Newly hired New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will officially assume his position with the team after Super Bowl LVIII. Kubiak, the passing game coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, was hired to replace Pete Carmichael earlier this month. 

There are other spots on the offensive staff that still need filled. Offensive line coach, QB coach, WR coach, and RB coach are all vacant. Kubiak will presumably have a say in those hirings as he gets acclimated with his new offensive players. Free agency is also just a little over a month away. 

The Saints aren't expected to make a major splash in free agency because of salary cap issues. However, if you think that the team won't be able to shuffle and restructure contracts to create cap space and add players, then you've been living under a rock for the last decade.

With that in mind, remember that the Saints are coming into 2024 with new offensive coaches and a new system. It is common to bring in players who are familiar with that system or have ties to the coaches.

Here are some pending free agents who have played under Klint Kubiak. 

K.J. Osborn, WR

Dec 10, 2023; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) makes a catch in front of Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18). Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY

A fifth-round choice in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Miami (Fl.), Osborn has played his entire four-year career with the Minnesota Vikings. After seeing little action as a rookie, Osborn has 158 receptions for 1,845 yards and 15 touchdowns over the last three seasons. He caught 48 passes for 540 yards and three scores in 2023.

Osborn's most productive year was in 2021, when he pulled in 50 passes on 82 targets for 655 yards and seven touchdowns. Minnesota's offensive coordinator that season was Klint Kubiak. It's also worth noting that Kubiak was the QB coach for the Vikings in 2020, the year they drafted Osborn. 

At 5'11" and 203-Lbs., Osborn is a surprisingly physical receiver that works well through the intermediate zones of a defense. Effective out of the slot and from the outside, he's also comfortable as a complementary weapon in an offense. He could be an excellent third receiver and possession target for a New Orleans team that will lose WR Michael Thomas this offseason. 

Dalton Risner, G

Sep 19, 2021; Denver Broncos guard Dalton Risner (66) blocks against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Kubiak's rushing scheme, dating back to Mike Shanahan and his father Gary Kubiak, is predicated on a one-cut zone blocking concept. It's a system that relies on athletic linemen and tandem blocking from players who know the system. 

Risner, 28, fits this scheme well. He was a second-round choice in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos out of Kansas State. Risner started 62 of a possible 66 games in four years for the Broncos. He'd sign with the Minnesota Vikings last season, where he started 11 of his 15 game appearances. 

Kubiak was gone from Minnesota before Risner arrived, but coached him while on Denver's staff in 2022. In four years with the Broncos, Risner was flagged just once for holding. He could be a valuable addition to a New Orleans line that needs several pieces after struggling last season. 

Jon Feliciano, G/C

Oct 8, 2023; San Francisco 49ers guard Jon Feliciano (55) blocks Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith (left). Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Feliciano, 32, is a nine-year NFL veteran who has played for four different teams. A fourth-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Miami (Fl.), he just completed his first year with San Francisco. 

Feliciano appeared in 16 contests, starting seven plus both playoff games, for a 49ers line considered one of the best in the league. San Francisco was third in rushing yardage, first in rushing touchdowns, and allowed QB Brock Purdy to be sacked only 28 times.

New Orleans offensive linemen Andrus Peat, James Hurst, Trai Turner, and Cameron Erving are all slated to be free agents. Tackle Trevor Penning looks like a draft bust and the Saints had major issues with their interior blocking. Expect the team to address the offensive line (again) early in the draft. However, Jon Feliciano would be an inexpensive signing with starting experience and crucial familiarity with Kubiak's blocking scheme. 

Sam Darnold, QB

Jan 7, 2024; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr will be the Saints starting quarterback in 2024. Of that there is no question. However, New Orleans will likely need a backup at the position. Jameis Winston is a free agent and won't be back, while 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener is still unproven. 

Enter Sam Darnold, the third overall choice in the 2018 NFL Draft out of USC by the New York Jets. A backup in San Francisco last season, Darnold is just 21-35 as a starter with the Jets and Panthers. For his career, he's completed only 59.7% of his throws for 12,064 yards with 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions.

As laughable as it sounds, the Saints may view Darnold as a viable backup behind Carr. Yes, he's more than proven that he's not a quality starter. However, Darnold could be an experienced short-term option should Carr get injured. More importantly, he has a year of valuable experience in Kubiak's system. 

Jauan Jennings, WR

*(restricted free agent)

January 20, 2024; San Francisco 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings (15) runs after a catch against Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (7). Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Jennings was a seventh-round pick by the 49ers in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. He is coming off a career-low 19 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown in 2023. However, he's been a reliable complementary weapon over his three years with San Francisco. 

Jennings, 26, is a big and physical wideout at 6'3" and 212-Lbs. He's come up with some clutch catches in big moments for the 49ers. He's also been an excellent blocker, something the Kubiak system demands out of it's receivers. 

Jauan Jennings knows the route trees in this system well. However, he's also a restricted free agent. If the 49ers tender him an offer, it's highly unlikely that the Saints are willing to give up the corresponding draft choice it may take to sign him.

Other free agent names to watch with ties to Klint Kubiak 

• Cameron Fleming, OT (Broncos)

• Ray-Ray McCloud, WR (49ers)

• Chris Conley, WR (49ers)

• Ross Dwelley, TE (49ers)

• Charlie Woerner, TE (49ers)

• Austin Schlottmann, G (Vikings)

NFL free agency officially begins on March 13.