2017 Saints Free Agency Shopping List

Offense

Mike Glennon QB Tampa Bay 26 / /6'6' / 225 / 2013 / Rd. 3 (73) / TB
Big strong armed QB the Saints have been linked to in the past. Could fetch" $13-15 million? Pass unless your absolutely certain, as one can be, he is your pick for your future starter. Is this Drew's' last year with the saints? Then this would blow up almost every player I have listed here. This is a topic few talk about and this elephant just keeps getting to big to keep over looking. With each passing year the saints paint themselves deeper and deeper into a corner.

Kevin Zeitler RG Cincinnati (26) / 6'4' / 320 / Rd. 1 (27) / CIN
The Bengals are in a tight cap situation, so allowing Zeitler hit the open market may be the necessary decision.. He excels in both run blocking and pass blocking. He’s improved as a run blocker each season and didn’t allow a single sack in 2015. Now he know his markets worth is 10+ mill a year

Rick Wagner RT Baltimore (26) / 6'6' / 310 / Rd. 5 (168) / BAL
My #3 Priority 2017 FA Baltimore Ravens are in a tight cap situation. One of the league's better right tackles excels in both run blocking and pass blocking. At say 6 mill a yr he could turn into a huge bargain down the road.
Zach goes to #1 back up and reworks that contract.

Rex Burkhead RB Cincinnati (26) / 5'10" / 215 / RD 6 (190) / Cini
Rex is a solid, pass-catching back. Excels in both zone and man blocking schemes, as well as on third down. He was also a core special team player for the Bengals in the past four seasons. The secret is out after the injuries the Bengals back field had last year.

Justin Hunter WR Buffalo (25) / 6'4' / 203 / 4.44 / Rd. 2 (34) / TEN
Some old baggage but has kept his nose clean in recent years and has started to live up to his draft hype. A big speedy #2 WR would do wonder for Drew and the WR corp as a whole. I fear his change in heart will reward him in a much fatter wallet. Do not get into a major biding war

Defense

Nick Fairley DT New Orleans (29) / 6'4' / 308 / Rd. 1 (13) / DET
One year contract wonder? Did the light really come on? Will he out price himself? Age of 29 works against him in my book.

Johnathan Hankins NY Giants (25) / 6'2' / 320 / Rd. 2 (49) / NYG
One of the better under the radar DT in the NFL? Better run stuffer than Nick. After signing players such as Olivier Vernon, Janoris Jenkins and Damon Harrison last off season, the Giants don’t have much wiggle room to work with and Johnathan Hankins is likely to hit the free agent market. At only 24 years old, Hankins could prove to be one of the best value signings this upcoming off season. He’s proven that he can make his presence known as an interior pass rusher and his play against the run. A great fit in 4-3 schemes. I fear yet another bidding war here

Lawrence Guy, DE/DT, Ravens (26) / 6'4' / 305 / Rd. 7 (233) / GB
Sneaky under the radar signing? He can play both the 4-3 and the 3-4. surprising pass rush efficiency. He was one of the best interior pass rushers in 2016. The lack of a pass rushing skill set, was the huge knock against him during the draft and killed his stock. I like players that stick to it and just keep getting better.

Jacquies Smith (RFA) DE Buccaneers (26) / 6'2' / 260 / UDFA/ Tampa
In two seasons he racked up 13.5 sacks over 18 starts but a torn ACL. So a prove it contract is a possibility. RFA in a draft like this makes pause

A.J. Klein MLB Carolina (25) / 6'1' / 240 / 2013 / Rd. 5 (148) / CAR,
My #1 priority FA of 2017. He might just escape and get a shot. He is one of the best reserve LB in the NFL. MLB is home but very comfortable at OLB also. smart as they come.

CB have a long list at highest possible contracts vs a solid deep draft at CB leaves me luke warm on FA moves

A.J. Bouye CB Houston (25) / 6'0' / 190 / UDFA / UCF
All depends on the Money and whether you feel he is better as a player rather than as a part of a very solid CB corp is the big question to be answered.

Micah Hyde FS/SS Green Bay (26) / 6'0' / 197 / Rd. 5 (159) / GB
My #2 Priority 2017 FA He is a dependable player who offers versatility. Hyde is capable of playing both free and strong safety. Hyde has showcased consistent football despite being trapped in a rotation with HaHa Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett in his tenure with the Packers. Hyde has racked up 227 tackles, 24 passes defensed, eight interceptions and four sacks in 63 career games. In addition, Hyde has punt return capabilities, recording three touchdowns throughout his career. He’ll most likely be searching for a starting opportunity.
Bye Bye Byrd?

Brynden Trawick S Oakland 27 / 6'2' / 225/ 2013 / UDFA / BAL
A back up safety that is a proven special team demon

Others to ponder.
Terrance Williams WR Dallas 27 / 6'2' / 210 / Rd. 3 (74) / DAL
Has shown flashes
Corey Lemonier Cleveland 24 / 6'3' / 255 / 4.60 / Rd. 3 (88) / SF
Lost in a 34 defense ?
Jarvis Jones DE/OLB Pittsburgh 26 / 6'3' / 248 / 4.90 / Rd. 1 (17) / PIT
Lost just seems lost in the way Pitt uses him

Lets go on a major youth movement in FA

Players that have shown their worth and have earned a shot at starting. Despite being trapped behind some great talent. One big signing. One upper mid range. The rest should come at a fairly reasonable rate. They all offer upgrades across the board of areas of need and offer more flexibility in the draft. Do not get into a major biding war either.

Offense gets the bucks

Kevin Zeitler RG Cincinnati (26) / 6'4' / 320 / Rd. 1 (27) / CIN
Rick Wagner RT Baltimore (26) / 6'6' / 310 / Rd. 5 (168) / BAL
Rex Burkhead RB Cincinnati (26) / 5'10" / 215 / RD 6 (190) / Cini

Defense gets solid proven help across the board

Lawrence Guy, DE/DT, Ravens (26) / 6'4' / 305 / Rd. 7 (233) / GB
A.J. Klein MLB/OLB Carolina (25) / 6'1' / 240 / Rd. 5 (148) / CAR
Micah Hyde FS/SS Green Bay (26) / 6'0' / 197 / Rd. 5 (159)/ GB
Brynden Trawick S Oakland (27) / 6'2' / 225/ 2013 / FA / BAL

Now Byrd and Zach have to be in the reworks/possible cut list. As will many of our lower contracts players.

Let see what Drew does with players like this signed. Saints showing they are serious about giving him all he needs to stay healthy and win. Which makes a Glennon bidding war a mute point.

Defense is and will be an on going re-build and this is a talent infusion that is much needed. Odds are the saints favor the scoop up starters and a bargain price for giving them the shot they earned and deserve to be starters.

Freeing ones self from the needs list as much as possible before the draft is huge