7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta

K Major · 01-28-2023, 11:43 AM

John Sigler
January 27, 2023

The Atlanta Falcons are hiring longtime New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator, and it might open the door for an exodus of talent from the black and gold. Seven of Nielsen’s former players are pending free agents including starting defensive linemen Marcus Davenport and David Onyemata, as well as top backups like Tanoh Kpassagnon, Malcolm Roach, and Kentavius Street.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot previously worked as the director of pro personnel in New Orleans, but there has been little crossover between the two franchises early in his tenure. That might change now that Nielsen is getting promoted to a position where he can push for those changes. Here’s the full list of players who may follow Nielsen to Atlanta:

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SmashMouth · 01-28-2023, 12:24 PM

Saw that ... rumor is Davenport moves on to the Failclowns. We ain't paying MD $20 million a year.

K Major · 01-28-2023, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

Saw that ... rumor is Davenport moves on to the Failclowns. We ain't paying MD $20 million a year.

Yep.

Davenport is talented, yet injury prone. Not to mention disappeared in 2022.

Imagine what this DE bunch is going to look like once Cam Jordan retires

.

SmashMouth · 01-28-2023, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

Yep.

Davenport is talented, yet injury prone. Not to mention disappeared in 2022.

Imagine what this DE bunch is going to look like once Cam Jordan retires .

It'll be looking like we'll need multiple high number ones to get respectable talent there . Now just where might we be able to get that, I just wonder?

OTHO, it could be argued that it'll be like a colon cleanse... I mean a cap cleanse.

Rugby Saint II · 01-29-2023, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

It'll be looking like we'll need multiple high number ones to get respectable talent there . Now just where might we be able to get that, I just wonder?

OTHO, it could be argued that it'll be like a colon cleanse... I mean a cap cleanse.

It is looking less and less likely that Sean Payton will find the ideal situation for him this year. There goes our plethora of picks!

AsylumGuido · 01-29-2023, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

It is looking less and less likely that Sean Payton will find the ideal situation for him this year. There goes our plethora of picks!

I don't believe a "plethora of picks" were ever a reality. Hopeful dreams by many fans. I'd say two or three were more likely, but still not out of the picture. Payton told his daughter on her show that he'd be deciding something one way or another by the end of the month. We'll see.

Sinner · 01-29-2023, 12:58 PM

Boy, we're poised to go to the playoffs in 2030!!!

FinSaint · 01-29-2023, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Sinner

Boy, we're poised to go to the playoffs in 2030!!!

With Arch under center?!

Rugby Saint II · 01-29-2023, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by FinSaint

With Arch under center?!

If Dennis Allen is still the coach we should be able to get him easily, while drafting in the top three, if we haven't traded that draft pick away already . 2030 is looking better and better. Maybe we can get under the cap by then.

AsylumGuido · 01-29-2023, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

If Dennis Allen is still the coach we should be able to get him easily, while drafting in the top three, if we haven't traded that draft pick away already . 2030 is looking better and better. Maybe we can get under the cap by then.

Personally, I'm planning on celebrating multiple Lombardi's in New Orleans before 2030.

If things don't turn around next year Allen and the crew will be gone. If it does turn around then all of this negative gloom and doom has been nothing but a waste of time and energy. Either way, perceived problem solved.

Breathe easy, Rugs. You've been through far, far, far worse than 7-10 in your life, my friend.

01-28-2023, 11:43 AM	#1
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,622 Blog Entries: 3	7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta John Sigler January 27, 2023 The Atlanta Falcons are hiring longtime New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator, and it might open the door for an exodus of talent from the black and gold. Seven of Nielsen’s former players are pending free agents including starting defensive linemen Marcus Davenport and David Onyemata, as well as top backups like Tanoh Kpassagnon, Malcolm Roach, and Kentavius Street. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot previously worked as the director of pro personnel in New Orleans, but there has been little crossover between the two franchises early in his tenure. That might change now that Nielsen is getting promoted to a position where he can push for those changes. Here’s the full list of players who may follow Nielsen to Atlanta: Full story

01-28-2023, 12:24 PM	#2
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,201 Blog Entries: 29	Re: 7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta Saw that ... rumor is Davenport moves on to the Failclowns. We ain't paying MD $20 million a year. leilung, Rugby Saint II and K Major like this.

01-28-2023, 03:41 PM	#3
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,622 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta Originally Posted by SmashMouth Saw that ... rumor is Davenport moves on to the Failclowns. We ain't paying MD $20 million a year. Yep. Davenport is talented, yet injury prone. Not to mention disappeared in 2022. Imagine what this DE bunch is going to look like once Cam Jordan retires . Rugby Saint II likes this.

01-28-2023, 07:21 PM	#4
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,201 Blog Entries: 29	Re: 7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta Originally Posted by K Major Yep. Davenport is talented, yet injury prone. Not to mention disappeared in 2022. Imagine what this DE bunch is going to look like once Cam Jordan retires . It'll be looking like we'll need multiple high number ones to get respectable talent there . Now just where might we be able to get that, I just wonder? OTHO, it could be argued that it'll be like a colon cleanse... I mean a cap cleanse. Rugby Saint II and K Major like this.

01-29-2023, 12:06 PM	#5
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Re: 7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta Originally Posted by SmashMouth It'll be looking like we'll need multiple high number ones to get respectable talent there . Now just where might we be able to get that, I just wonder? OTHO, it could be argued that it'll be like a colon cleanse... I mean a cap cleanse. It is looking less and less likely that Sean Payton will find the ideal situation for him this year. There goes our plethora of picks! AsylumGuido likes this.

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01-29-2023, 12:22 PM	#6
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: 7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II It is looking less and less likely that Sean Payton will find the ideal situation for him this year. There goes our plethora of picks! I don't believe a "plethora of picks" were ever a reality. Hopeful dreams by many fans. I'd say two or three were more likely, but still not out of the picture. Payton told his daughter on her show that he'd be deciding something one way or another by the end of the month. We'll see.

01-29-2023, 12:58 PM	#7
Sinner 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 3,952	Re: 7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta Boy, we're poised to go to the playoffs in 2030!!! SmashMouth, Rugby Saint II and K Major like this.
Sinner 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 3,952

01-29-2023, 01:38 PM	#8
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,961	Re: 7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta Originally Posted by Sinner Boy, we're poised to go to the playoffs in 2030!!! With Arch under center?! neugey, SmashMouth, Rugby Saint II and 1 others like this.

01-29-2023, 01:56 PM	#9
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Re: 7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta Originally Posted by FinSaint With Arch under center?! If Dennis Allen is still the coach we should be able to get him easily, while drafting in the top three, if we haven't traded that draft pick away already . 2030 is looking better and better. Maybe we can get under the cap by then. jnormand and SmashMouth like this.

01-29-2023, 02:12 PM	#10
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: 7 Saints free agents who could leave to join Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II If Dennis Allen is still the coach we should be able to get him easily, while drafting in the top three, if we haven't traded that draft pick away already . 2030 is looking better and better. Maybe we can get under the cap by then. Personally, I'm planning on celebrating multiple Lombardi's in New Orleans before 2030. If things don't turn around next year Allen and the crew will be gone. If it does turn around then all of this negative gloom and doom has been nothing but a waste of time and energy. Either way, perceived problem solved. Breathe easy, Rugs. You've been through far, far, far worse than 7-10 in your life, my friend.