New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

The likelihood of the New Orleans Saints becoming a major player in free agency isn't too high. New Orleans doesn't possess a boatload of money, even with the salary cap at $133 million, plus the team has some work to do to hang on to its own potential free agents.

The Saints sat in a similar position last offseason, and yet they landed players such as cornerback Keenan Lewis, linebacker Victor Butler and tight end Benjamin Watson. And despite limited funds they fought hard to land top-flight pass rusher Paul Kruger, who eventually signed with Cleveland. So the Saints are capable of waving their salary cap wand to make some unexpected signings.
With free agency beginning March 11, and discussions between agents and other teams commencing March 8, we'll take a look at each position group in free agency and what the Saints might ponder:

Saints depth chart
Marques Colston
Kenny Stills
Lance Moore
Nick Toon
Andy Tanner
Chris Givens
Charles Hawkins

Saints free agents
Robert Meachem (unrestricted)
Joe Morgan (restricted)

Top WR free agents
Eric Decker
Julian Edelman
James Jones
Golden Tate
Emmanuel Sanders
Hakeem Nicks

Next tier WR free agents
Kenny Britt
Jacoby Jones
Brandon LaFell
Andre Roberts
Sidney Rice
Ted Ginn
Dexter McCluster
Jerome Simpson
Jacoby Ford

Saints position priority: medium

What the Saints might do in free agency: The Saints might focus on keeping their own potential free agents rather than sorting through the pile of solid, but not great, wide receivers who are going to hit the open market.

Meachem is set to become an unrestricted free agent, while Morgan is a restricted free agent. There's been some initial talks between the Saints and both players' representatives about bringing back the wideouts, according to sources.

New Orleans probably hopes Morgan can become the heir apparent to Meachem as the team's top deep threat. But Morgan has to remain healthy after landing on injured reserve during training camp two of the past three seasons.

If the Saints decide to unload Lance Moore as a salary cap casualty (nearly $5.1 million cap number in 2014), the team's need for a wide receiver could heighten in free agency.

Even though Decker piled up some monster numbers with the Broncos the past couple of seasons, the fact that he's widely considered the best receiver to hit the market should say something about the available free agents at the position.

The Saints more than likely won't be in the market for any of the top-tier players, though Tate would be a nice addition to the offense and as a return man. Those are the types of receivers the Saints could be searching for in free agency. Jacoby Jones, a New Orleans native, and McCluster stick out as possible lower-priced options for the Saints.

The best bet for the Saints to snag a new wide receiver, though, seems to be in the draft, where the class is considered one of the deepest in several years.
New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver | NOLA.com

Re: New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

I'd be ecstatic if we got someone like emmanual sanders or james jones, just depends how much they want

I think lance moores days here may be numbered, nick toon has done nothing but drop passes when he did get on the field

Re: New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

Seeing the impact rookie receivers can make, I'm all for drafting a top WR.

Use FA to solidify CB, S or D Line.

Still believe we need a speedy young linebacker.

Re: New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

Kenny Britt, Emanuel Sanders, and sign McCluster to replace Sproles in that role.

Line Colston and Britt out wide, with Sanders in the slot and Stills rotating in frequently.

Re: New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

Our success in the Sean Payton era has been about target(s) and how we spread the ball. Last season when crunch time came to burn clock etc.. We because fairly predictable because we thew to Graham/Sproles/Thomas the majority of the time.

Re: New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

If you have to say need when thinking about a draft pick then that isn't the pick we need to make.

Trusting a full season with a rookie at any position is not what we need to do. Fill the whole with a vet and then draft BPA and if they make the roster GREAT. To much of a gamble to draft by needs. If he doesn't make it guess what you're need is next year???

I am on board with drafting a WR in round one. BPA is going to be WR by a mile at that 27th spot more than likely. Trade back or snag a WR.

Re: New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

Hakeem Nicks to pair with Akiem Hicks.

Re: New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

Britt is injury prone and has poor work ethics.

Re: New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

Saints depth chart to build with
Kenny Stills

Start looking at ways out from underneath their contracts now
Marques Colston
Lance Moore

Cut bait if they stink it up in preseason
Nick Toon
Andy Tanner
Chris Givens
Charles Hawkins

Wide open up grades needed across the board. That or players start earning their pay checks again

Re: New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver
 

Playing for a winner will fix his attitude. All of our receivers are injury prone. We need plenty.