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Saints Could Target More Familiar Faces in Free Agency

With offseason coaching moves already being ripe with familiarity, New Orleans could take that same approach when they enter free agency next month.

Bob Rose

Saints Could Target More Familiar Faces in Free Agency
Saints Could Target More Familiar Faces in Free Agency /
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It is not uncommon for people or businesses to hire who they know and who they're familiar with. This certainly applies to the NFL, where such practices are very common. 

Former Saints and new Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton has already snatched one of his former New Orleans assistants, Zach Strief, for his staff in Denver. Payton has also interviewed Saints QB coach and passing game coordinator Ronald Curry for the Broncos offensive coordinator position. He may also pursue former Saints defensive coordinator Kris Richard, former RB/TE coach Dan Roushar, and a few New Orleans pending free agents next month. 

Saints coach Dennis Allen isn't adverse to bringing in known commodities either. Recent hires Joe Woods (defensive coordinator) and Marcus Robertson (defensive backs) were both on Allen's staff when he was head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2014. The Saints have also met with QB Derek Carr, who Allen selected with a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and are reportedly interested in trading for the Raiders signal caller. 

NFL free agency is a little over a month away. New Orleans likely won't throw around a ton of money. However, there are several areas that need addressed for this team to get back to contender status. 

Woods was most recently the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns from 2020-2022. Robertson was with the Arizona Cardinals since 2019 as a defensive backs coach. Could the Saints explore free agents from either Cleveland or Arizona next month because of familiarity with Woods or Robertson? Here's a look at some of the significant pending free agents from both teams. 

Browns Free Agents 

Defense 

Dec 20, 2021; Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Anthony Walker (4) tackles Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87). Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

• Jadeveon Clowney, DE

• Taven Bryan, DT

• Chase Winovich, DE

• Stephen Weatherly, DE

• Deion Jones, LB

• Anthony Walker, LB

• Greedy Williams, CB

• Ronnie Harrison, S

Offense 

Dec 24, 2022; New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27). Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

• Jacoby Brissett, QB

• Kareem Hunt, RB

• D'Ernest Johnson, RB

• Pharaoh Brown, TE

• Jesse James, TE

• Ethan Pocic, C

The Saints are about to lose DE Marcus Davenport in free agency. They also go into the offseason with defensive tackles David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, Kentavius Street, and DE Tanoh Kpassagnon unsigned. The tackle position must be upgraded this offseason, but we should still see a lot of new faces up front in 2023.

Help shouldn't necessarily come from Cleveland. Despite tons of natural talent, Clowney's effort and motivation have been rightfully questioned throughout his career. He's also shown a sharp decline as a pass rusher the last few years, though still solid against the run. 

Bryan, like Clowney a first-round draft pick, has never played up to expectations in his five-year career. He probably wouldn't be any upgrade to what the Saints had at defensive tackle in 2022. Winovich and Weatherly are nice depth pieces. They could be nice additions to Carl Granderson and Payton Turner if they lose Kpassagnon.

Jones is a familiar face after a four-year career with bitter rival Atlanta. However, his play with the Falcons regressed in 2020 and 2021 and he wasn't a difference maker during his only year in Cleveland. Jones is a terrific athlete but doesn't have great natural instincts and struggles with play awareness. 

Walker was a fantastic playmaker for the Indianapolis Colts over his first four seasons. His last two campaigns in Cleveland have been plagued by injuries, including a quad that ended 2022 after just three games. Capable of playing inside or outside, Walker would be a solid complement to Demario Davis and Pete Werner if the Saints lose breakout fourth-year LB Kaden Elliss in free agency. 

Woods, also an accomplished defensive backs coach, has presided over a Cleveland defense that's ranked top-5 against the pass the last two years. Two notable Browns defensive backs are slated for free agency at the moment. 

Former LSU star CB Greedy Williams is a flashy name for some of the New Orleans fan base. However, the fit just isn't there for the Saints. Marshon Lattimore, Alontae Taylor, and Paulson Adebo are a terrific trio of corners. New Orleans could use a true slot corner, but Williams is best suited for outside coverage. The former second-round pick has also struggled with injuries and was a major liability on the field in 2022.

Another liability was the New Orleans safety position, which was a huge disappointment last year. The Saints would be wise to look for an upgrade, but it wouldn't get one in Ronnie Harrison. A five-year veteran, Harrison is a big hitter but not strong in coverage. He plays like an extra linebacker in the box, but would not upgrade the team’s coverage units.

Dec 4, 2022; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Taven Bryan (99) pressures Houston Texans quarterback Kyle Allen (3). Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Woods is, of course, a defensive coach. However, the Saints might find a few offensive players from his former team more attractive options than the defensive choices.

Quarterback Brissett could be an adequate bridge starter if New Orleans elects to use their first round pick on a player like Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker. Running back is also a glaring need for the Saints this offseason. Cleveland has two talented backs about to hit the market. 

Undrafted out of South Florida in 2019, D'Ernest Johnson has flashed some good skills despite little usage with the Browns. He should come fairly cheap. Sixth-year RB Kareem Hunt is an established player in the league and has the abilities of a number one back.

Neither player saw much action behind Nick Chubb. Both players would provide a legitimate threat in the Saints backfield, allowing them to use the versatile Alvin Kamara more efficiently than they have the last two years. 

Brown or James could be special teams contributors and experienced depth at tight end. The Saints are set at center with Erik McCoy, but Pocic could bring much-needed interior depth along the offensive line. 

Cardinals Free Agents 

Defense 

Oct 20, 2022; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Hamilton (33) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Zach Allen, DE

• Trysten Hill, DT

• Nick Vigil, LB

• Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB 

• Tanner Vallejo, LB

• Byron Murphy, CB

• Antonio Hamilton, CB

• Josh Jackson, CB

• Chris Banjo, S

Offense 

Oct 2, 2022; Arizona Cardinals running back Darrel Williams (24) follows a block by guard Max Garcia (75). Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY

• Darrel Williams, RB

• Maxx Williams, TE

• Kelvin Beachum, OT

• Cody Ford, G

• Max Garcia, G/C

• Sean Harlow, G

• Will Hernandez, G

• Rodney Hudson, C

• Billy Price, G/C

• Justin Pugh, G

Arizona’s 3-4 base front wouldn't make a great transition into the New Orleans scheme for a few players, but there are a couple of intriguing options. Allen is undersized for a traditional end, but plays with good strength and a non-stop motor. Hill is a wide-bodied defender who could beef up the interior run defense. 

Vigil, Grugier-Hill, and Vallejo are linebackers that can play in space and are adequate against the run and in zone duties. Banjo wouldn't supplant any of the starters. However, he knows Dennis Allen's defense as a Saint from 2016 to 2018 and is a special teams standout. He could be a suitable replacement if New Orleans moves on from J.T. Gray or Daniel Sorensen this offseason. 

Journeyman Hamilton is coming off the best two campaigns of his seven-year career. He recorded his first career interception in Week 7 against New Orleans and allowed 66.7% completion percentage when pressed into duty over the last half of 2022.

Murphy is a 2019 second-round choice who has battled injuries throughout his career.  When healthy, he's a physical player with solid ball skills.  Murphy has allowed less than 67% completion percentage when targeted in his career and intercepted 4 passes for the Cardinals in 2021.

October 20, 2022; Cardinals Byron Murphy (7) breaks up a pass intended for Saints Tre'Quan Smith (10). © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Offensively, Arizona also might offer some solid complementary options for the Saints.  Darrel Williams has struggled with in five years with Kansas City and Arizona, but has explosive traits and can run between the tackles. 

A second-round pick in 2015, Maxx Williams has always been an effective receiver with underrated blocking skills. However, he's also been plagued with injuries every season. He could still be an effective backup to Juwan Johnson. 

The Saints could target offensive linemen this offseason. Arizona’s line was battered by injuries all year, but it's a deep unit with a lot of starting experience. 

Beachum can play either tackle spot. Price and Garcia bring the interior versatility that the Saints value. Ford, Hernandez, Hudson, and Pugh are also experienced NFL starters. New Orleans may move on from LG Andrus Peat this offseason. They still have some talented starters, but the depth of the unit must be upgraded. 

The Saints won't have a lot of money to throw around this offseason because they're again tight against the salary cap. With several offseason needs to fill, they'll need to hit with their limited free agency moves and draft picks. Perhaps they'll look for a degree of familiarity to make those moves less of a gamble in their view.

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Bob Rose
BOB ROSE

Covers the New Orleans Saints as a senior writer for the Saints News Network.  Co-Host of the Bayou Blitz Podcast.