New Orleans Saints Free Agents Jameis Winston, Michael Thomas, Or Rashid Shaheed: Who Should Stay Or Go?

The New Orleans Saints free agency list this offseason is not cumbersome, but some key players could be on their way out of the Big Easy.

Offseason attrition is a given in the NFL. For the New Orleans Saints, 2024 is no exception. However, their list of free agents this year is a fairly predictable list to consider. 

Below are the Saints’ top free agents that could head elsewhere this offseason. For each, an opinion on whether they should stay or go is listed along with a prediction for what will actually happen. The list begins with a quarterback who took part in making headline in the team’s Week 18 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Saints Top Free Agents Of 2024

Jameis Winston celebrates the comeback victory against the Atlanta Falcons to start the 2022 NFL season / Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) celebrates after a victory against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

QB Jameis Winston

Should: Stay
Prediction: Go

The fact of the matter is that ever since Winston returned for the 2024 season the expectation was that it would be his final year in New Orleans. Now that he has taken part in the victory formation seen around the world, many are treating it like a new realization that he will not be back. Or are painting his unlikely return to be connected to the late touchdown the team elected to go for with running back Jamal Williams.

The truth is, the opposite should be true. Instead of casting Winston out with this truthfully harmless decision hanging over the franchise as the league’s top talking point, a greater show of unity and leadership would be to move past all of the recent chatter and arrive at an agreement to keep Winston in the Big Easy for another year. This was an approach also discussed by former Oakland Raiders CEO Amy Trask in her recent comments on Winston and head coach Dennis Allen.

The issue is that, plainly put, unity and leadership were not necessarily the strongest qualities the Saints displayed in 2023. While there looks to be a concerted effort to fix that, there are realities in which those efforts are successful and realities wherein they are not. This decision would be a winning endeavor, whose undertaking may fall short considering the team's initial perceived approach.

Michael Thomas during the Saints preseason matchup with the Chiefs / Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

WR Michael Thomas

Should: Go
Prediction: Go

Unlike all of the chatter around cornerback Marshon Lattimore, the Saints concerns around their two-time All-Pro feel more clear and with direction. For four consecutive seasons, Thomas has either not been able to make it on to the field or has not been able to finish the season on the field. That is a tough pill to swallow not just for the Saints who had invested a pretty penny in the wideout, but certainly for Thomas himself.

While he has struggled to stay on the field, Thomas cannot be dismissed for lack of effort. Each time he has been met by a hurdle, he has found a way to climb it and return to action. The issue now is that he will be 31 years old before the 2024 season starts. This team desperately needs to get younger and with a core of young playmakers at the position, the writing may already be on the wall for Thomas.

Rashid Shaheed warms up before the 2022 bout with the Philadelphia Eagles / Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (89) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

WR Rashid Shaheed

Should: Stay
Prediction: Stay

This one is easy. Shaheed is a exclusive rights free agent. Meaning that he has no ability to negotiate with other teams and the Saints simply have to place the minimum tender on the wideout to keep him for 2024. However, it would make sense for New Orleans to get ahead of Shaheed's deal and perhaps sign him to a multi-year deal at least for the next two years. This is what the Saints did with both defensive end Carl Granderson and tight end Juwan Johnson when their exclusive rights free agent deals expired. Granderson has since received a larger extension, and Johnson looks to be in line for the same.

Zack Baun closes in on Ravens backup QB Trace McSorley during their 2022 preseason matchup / New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun (53) and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) rush Baltimore Ravens quarterback Trace McSorley (7) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium

LB Zack Baun

Should: Stay
Prediction: Go

When Saints News Network asked Allen whether or not Baun's success down the stretch may influence their typical prototype at pass rusher, he was clear that the team would not reshape their approach, but perhaps add to it. The big-bodied defensive end mold has found some success: Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson also Trey Hendrickson though he realized his potential with another team. But having the "change-up" as Allen called it, of a smaller speedier edge rusher clearly has value for the defense.

While Baun himself may not be back to be that guy in 2024, his influence could still lead to forwarding the attack. Having Baun back would be beneficial as he is already familiar with the system. But it seems likely he will get a more consistent opportunity to play to his strengths elsewhere. Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, for instance, believe strongly in his style within their system.

Andrus Peat blocks against the Chicago Bears / Nov 5, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Andrus Peat (75) blocks Chicago Bears defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

OL Andrus Peat

Should: Go
Prediction: Go

This is another player whose contract being reworked ahead the 2023 season seemed to signal his eventual departure. However things got a bit more complicated for New Orleans when first-round left tackle Trevor Penning was benched earlier in the season and never truly found his way back to the field for the remainder of the year. In his stead and along with some additional shuffling on the line, Peat bounced outside to his collegiate position at left tackle. In doing so, he played well.

While he surrendered 10 pressures in his first game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the position, he would go on to give up just 17 combined over his next ten games. Additionally he gave up just a pair of sacks at left tackle as well. The tricky part will now be whether or not the Saints would be willing to bring him back on a left tackle deal, which is considerably more expensive than an interior lineman's deal. His performance on the outside likely prices him out of New Orleans, who should re-invest in Penning before it is too late.

Isaac Yiadom celebrates an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Oct 1, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27) celebrates an inception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

CB Isaac Yiadom

Should: Stay
Prediction: Stay

Yiadom was a revelation at outside corner for the Saints while Lattimore was out with an ankle injury to end the season. He and fellow cornerback Paulson Adebo tied for No. 5 in the NFL with 11 pass breakups and Yiadom lead the league in forced incompletion percentage (33%) among all corners that played at least 50 coverage snaps. Those are great numbers, especially for a guy that was originally brought in to help play a core special teams role. He has gone from being an outstanding cover player the kicking game to a fantastic cover corner.

Yiadom has a great relationship with defensive coordinator Joe Woods, who actually scouted him at the 2018 Senior Bowl. Their connection combined with his success and the frankly imprudent potential for a Lattimore departure provides him ample opportunity to stick around.

Malcolm Roach leads the Who Day chant before a game / Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Malcolm Roach (97) pumps up the fans for the Who Dat chant to start the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

DL Malcolm Roach

Should: Stay
Prediction: Stay

Roach had the NFL's best run stop percentage (17.4%) among all defenders, regardless of position, with more than 10 run defense snaps, per Pro Football Focus. For a team that ranked No. 22 against the run, losing Roach partway through the season seems to have had an impact. The talented defensive tackle broached the market for a short while last offseason before returning to New Orleans. If he was not able to find a different landing spot last season, that could be the case again this year, especially coming off of a season-ending injury. That should provide the Saints the opportunity to retain him again, even on a short-term deal if he will take it.