Saints Mailbag: Alvin Kamara, Free Agent Adds, Hunter Renfrow

How many games could Alvin Kamara get suspended? What's the outlook at pass-rusher and linebacker? Are the Saints good at wide receiver?

We'll get another look at the Saints next week during the second week of OTAs. Going into the offseason, there were plenty of questions for New Orleans, and they've answered almost all of the ones we had in January. As we keep rolling on in anticipation for Mandatory Minicamp and ultimately Training Camp, we continue to tackle questions for the black and gold through our mailbag. 

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How many games will Alvin Kamara get suspended for?

I/U 6.5 games of suspension for AK?

— Mike Gervais (@mikegervais) May 26, 2023

The key thing to remember here is that the legal process will have to play out first. As of right now, July 31 is the day for the trial. Things could certainly happen before then, but the other side of the coin is that even if Kamara does not receive any type of criminal punishment, he could still be disciplined under the NFL's personal conduct policy. This would carry at least a six-game suspension, which could be appealed. Now, everything I understand on the situation is that there is a belief by the team that he will get suspended, but it would be a short-term thing. 

Will the Saints add a veteran linebacker before the preseason?

Can we expect the Saints to add a veteran linebacker before preseason?

— Saints.Outlet (@SaintsOutlet) May 26, 2023

Answered this the other day, but the short answer is yes. I would fully expect them to look at linebackers and some defensive line help as we get closer to training camp. The big thing is whether or not who they add will really push the depth chart. Eric Wilson comes to mind from last year, and I thought he had a legitimate shot to make the roster. However, the emergence of Kaden Elliss and others made it easier on the team to stick with what they had.

Will the Saints add a pass rusher?

Are the saints considering signing veteran defensive pass usher?

— Inell Sutoon (@ISutoon88571) May 26, 2023

It certainly feels like that's a direction they could go. A lot would depend on where Payton Turner is at. He was at OTAs, which is a great first step in his outlook for this season. As of now, the prediction would be Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Payton Turner, and Isaiah Foskey. Defensive tackle might be a more pressing need for the team, but it's something to keep an eye on. Yannick Ngakoue is going to be a hot name here soon.

Who ultimately gets added? Is the team good at receiver?

Let's start with wide receiver talk. The DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes will be something to keep an eye on here, and honestly 31 teams should be interested in him. As for Hunter Renfrow, we have to remember that this is something that should be a post-June 1 move. A team would have to trade for him, so there's compensation to agree on. For the Raiders, they could save $11.29 million by trading Renfrow. New Orleans has cap room, but they'd need to do some maneuvering to fit him in for future years and then there's some void years under his current deal. However, it's not impossible. The case for Renfrow is that the Saints don't have a definitive slot guy right now. There are some guys who could work out, and they could be good there without him. However, Renfrow does a ton of things that would be welcomed in a Saints offense.

As far as who the Saints add, that remains to be seen. Most of the interest will come when we get into June leading up to training camp. New Orleans has some roster spots and some money to work with, so they can be players if there's a pressing need to add to the roster. Linebacker and defensive end have some pretty good veterans available, whereas defensive tackle is mostly older vets. Let's also not forget that some USFL players might draw some interest. It'll be really interesting to see where the team goes, and Dennis Allen and Mickey Loomis have hinted that they'll do some looking at particular positions.

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