Will the Saints Bring Back Any of Their Former Defensive Linemen in Free Agency?

With free agency and salary cap issues poised to hit their talented defensive line hard, would New Orleans consider bringing back any of their former contributors up front?

Safety Malcolm Jenkins rejoined the New Orleans Saints last year, the franchise he had played with for the first five years of his career, after a six-year stint with the Eagles. Two years before that, CB Patrick Robinson had returned to the Saints after three years away from the team he had played five seasons with to start his career.

It isn't often that a player returns to a team he had left either through trade or free agency, but the Saints have had some success in that capacity under head coach Sean Payton. Besides Jenkins and Robinson, G Jermon Bushrod, QB Chase Daniel, C Jonathan Goodwin S Roman Harper, WR Tommylee Lewis, and WR Robert Meachem have all had second stints with the franchise.

Earlier this week I highlighted some former New Orleans offensive players who will be available this offseason. Today we’ll focus on the defensive side.

Free agency could hit a deep and talented New Orleans defensive line hard.  Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and DE Trey Hendrickson are expected to attract heavy attention as unrestricted free agents.  Tackle Malcom Brown could be released because of a $6.4 million cap hit looming, and DE Cameron Jordan will count $18.9 million against the cap this season.

With reserve CB Arthur Maulet and LB Manti Te'o being the only former Saint players on the back end entering free agency, this column will focus on the defensive linemen that will be available.

MARIO EDWARDS JR.

Dec 8, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is sacked by Saints defensive end Mario Edwards (97) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY 

Edwards played for the Saints in 2019 after spending the first four years of his career with the Oakland Raiders and New York Giants. He had 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and 5 QB pressures as a reserve defensive end and tackle.

Edwards was among the team's final cuts of training camp last summer and signed on with the Chicago Bears. He had a career-high 4 sacks with Chicago last season, adding 7 QB pressures and 8 tackles for loss.

At 6’3” 280-Lbs., Edwards has the size, strength, and athleticism to play both tackle or end. That versatility served him well in New Orleans and Chicago, where he was a key part of the rotation up front for both teams. The 27-Yr old Edwards is stout against the run and is a solid, if unspectacular, pass rusher. He is starting quality defensive lineman who should be a fairly inexpensive addition.

MARGUS HUNT

Nov 22, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati nose tackle Margus Hunt (70) deflects a pass by Washington quarterback Alex Smith (11) at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY

An offseason free agent signing in 2020, Hunt beat Edwards out for the final spot on the New Orleans defensive line in training camp. He appeared in four games for the Saints, collecting 2 tackles for loss and adding 2 quarterback pressures.

Hunt was signed off the New Orleans practice squad by the Cincinnati Bengals at mid-season where he finished the year with the team that selected him in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft. He played in nine games with the Bengals and had 4 QB pressures, 2 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.

At 6’8 295-Lbs., the 33-Yr old Hunt is an impressive physical specimen that can play either inside or on the edge. He had a hard time earning snaps with a deep New Orleans defensive line in 2020, which is why he was available for Cincinnati, but the Saints coaching staff felt comfortable plugging him into the lineup when needed.

JOHN JENKINS

Dec 20, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears defensive lineman John Jenkins (90) celebrates a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY

A 3rd round draft selection by the Saints in 2013, Jenkins started 22 games and played in 51 of 57 contests in four years before being waived midway through the 2016 season. During his time with the Saints, Jenkins had 2.5 sacks, 6 QB hits, 7 tackles for loss, and earned a reputation as one of the league's better run stoppers.

Since leaving New Orleans, Jenkins has played for four different teams, including two stints with the Chicago Bears. He saw action in 12 games with the Bears last season and had 2 QB pressures, 1 tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery against New Orleans in a wild-card playoff loss.

The 31-Yr old Jenkins doesn't jump out on the stat sheet, but he ties up blockers inside and is a respected run defender. He is 6’3” 327-Lbs and could be viewed as a potential replacement for underrated DT Malcom Brown if New Orleans needs to release him to create salary cap space.

AL-QUADIN MUHAMMAD

Dec 17, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Saints defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (97) rushes against Jets offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (68). Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY 

A 6th round pick by the Saints in the 2017 draft out of the University of Miami, Muhammad was the only member of the team’s star-studded draft class that didn't have an immediate impact. He showed promise as a pass rusher in two preseasons with New Orleans, but appeared in just four games and 24 defensive snaps during the 2017 season.

After being released by the Saints early in 2018, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he has played the last four years. Muhammad appeared in 50 of a possible 51 games with Indianapolis. During his time with the Colts he had 6 sacks, 34 pressures, 17 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles.

Muhammad is a bit undisciplined against the run, but has excellent strength on the edge and a terrific burst into an opposing backfield. With the pending loss of DE Trey Hendrickson in free agency, Muhammad could bring quality depth to the defensive end rotation.

ALEX OKAFOR

Oct 8, 2018; New Orleans, LA, Saints defensive end Alex Okafor (57) against the Washington Redskins © Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY 

Okafor joined the Saints as a free agent in 2017 after four inconsistent years with the Arizona Cardinals to start his career. He started 28 games for New Orleans over the next two seasons and had 8.5 sacks, 21 QB hits, 12 tackles for loss, and forced or recovered 3 fumbles.

Okafor signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 2019. He's been plagued by a series of nagging injuries during his time with the Chiefs, missing 12 of 36 games, but helped Kansas City to a Super Bowl berth this year. In 24 games with the Chiefs, Okafor had 8 sacks, 27 QB pressures, 6 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles.

An underrated defender during his time with the Saints, Okafor was a solid bookend complement to Cam Jordan as a 6’4” 261-Lb defensive end who rushes the passer and plays the run efficiently. Injuries may have diminished the 30-Yr old Okafor of some of his change-of-direction ability, but he can add valuable experience to the defensive line rotation and still step in as an effective starter.