Saints Announce 3 Signings, Waive 3 Others, Per Report

New Orleans brings in two more targets for WR Derek Carr, according to reports.

The New Orleans Saints signed C Billy Price and wide receivers Keke Coutee and Lynn Bowden Jr. on Thursday, the final day of mini-camp. Also, the Saints waived undrafted rookie WR Malik Flowers, undrafted rookie RB SaRodorick Thompson, and offensive lineman Yasir Durant.

ESPN reporter Field Yates first reported the signings of Bowden and Coutee. The Price addition was reported by Adam Schefter of the NFL Network. Price, Bowden and Coutee were invited for mini-camp tryouts earlier this week.

Billy Price 

Nov 6, 2022; Arizona Cardinals center Billy Price (53) blocks against Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford (97). Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic/USA TODAY 

Price, 28, was a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He played his first three years with the Bengals, appearing in 42 games and getting named to the 2018 All-Rookie Team. 

Traded to the New York Giants in 2021, Price started 15 of 17 contests there. He played with the Arizona Cardinals last season, starting 11 games. While mostly a center, Price has also played both guard spots. He'll be expected to provide experienced depth for C Erik McCoy. 

Price was a collegiate teammate of Michael Thomas and Marshon Lattimore. He was a 2017 1st Team All-American, 2017 Dave Rimington Award winner, and two-time All-Big 10 selection. 

Lynn Bowden Jr.

Aug 20, 2022; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. (3) returns a punt against Las Vegas Raiders safety Matthias Farley (49) and linebacker Luke Masterson (59). Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

The 25-year-old was a third-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Kentucky. He was traded to the Miami Dolphins at the end of training camp that season. Bowden would catch 28 passes for 211 yards in 10 games for the Dolphins in 2020.

After sustaining an injury during his 2021 training camp with Miami, he was released with an injury settlement. He'd be picked up by the New England Patriots, where he'd appear in one game and spent the rest of the year on the practice squad. 

The 6-foot and 201-Lb. Bowden also spent time at running back during his collegiate career. He rushed for 1,468 yards and 13 touchdowns for Kentucky in 2019, while catching 114 passes for 1,303 yards in three seasons with the Wildcats.

Keke Coutee 

Nov 26, 2020; Houston Texans receiver Keke Coutee (16) gets past Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21). Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY

Coutee, 26, was a fourth-round pick by the Houston Texans in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech. In five NFL seasons, Coutee has 85 receptions for 966 yards and four scores. He's also spent some time returning punts, averaging 8.3 yards per attempt. 

Coutee played his first three years with the Texans, where he had 83 receptions for 941 yards. His best season was in 2020, catching 33 balls for 400 yards and three scores. He was released by Houston in 2021. He's spent the last two years with the Indianapolis Colts, catching just two passes over 10 games with the team.

The 5'11" and 180-Lb. Coutee had 159 catches for 2,424 yards and 17 touchdowns in three years with Texas Tech. His 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and 10 scores in 2017 earned him 1st Team All-Big 12 honors.

New Orleans now has a crowded WR room. All-Pro Michael Thomas and second-year star Chris Olave will be the top two targets, with 2022 undrafted rookie surprise Rashid Shaheed expected to be the Number 3.

The Saints also added free agents Bryan Edwards and James Washington this offseason, as well as rookie sixth-round choice A.T. Perry. They'll compete with Coutee, Bowden, and returning veterans Tre'Quan Smith and Keith Kirkwood to round out the depth chart.