New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: defensive back

TheOak · 03-10-2014, 09:12 AM

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:

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Cornerback

Keenan Lewis
Corey White
Patrick Robinson
Rod Sweeting
Trevin Wade
Terrence Frederick
A.J. Davis

Safety

Kenny Vaccaro
Jordan Pugh
Rafael Bush (given a restricted free agent tender but not signed yet)
Saints free agents
Malcolm Jenkins (unrestricted)
Roman Harper (unrestricted)
Jabari Greer (unrestricted)

Top free agent safeties

Jarius Byrd
T.J. Ward
Donte Whitner

Next tier free agent safeties

Chris Clemons
Louis Delmas
Major Wright
Mike Mitchell
Antoine Bethea
Brandon Meriweather

Top free agent cornerbacks

Aqib Talib
Vontae Davis
Alterraun Verner

Next tier free agent cornerbacks

Captain Munnerlyn
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie
Tarell Brown
Walter Thurmond
Brandon Browner

Saints position priority: high

What the Saints might do in free agency: The Saints hit a home run when they signed Keenan Lewis and drafted Kenny Vaccaro last season. However, if they don't re-sign Malcolm Jenkins, their safety depth is looking dangerously thin. The Saints tendered restricted free agent Rafael Bush and could be prepared to go with Vaccaro and Bush next season. But they'll still need to add a safety in the draft or free agency.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Saints look for an affordable cornerback to play alongside Lewis after releasing Jabari Greer. The Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn is a name that's been thrown out as a possibility to fit with the Saints. That's another position where they need depth. When Lewis was sent out of their playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles with an injury, the Saints had only Trevin Wade and Rod Sweeting to rely on. This is a big need for the Saints that they'll want to address this offseason.
Full Article
New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: defensive back | NOLA.com

03-10-2014, 09:12 AM	#1
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,039	New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: defensive back 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: DEFENSIVE BACKS Cornerback Keenan Lewis Corey White Patrick Robinson Rod Sweeting Trevin Wade Terrence Frederick A.J. Davis Safety Kenny Vaccaro Jordan Pugh Rafael Bush (given a restricted free agent tender but not signed yet) Saints free agents Malcolm Jenkins (unrestricted) Roman Harper (unrestricted) Jabari Greer (unrestricted) Top free agent safeties Jarius Byrd T.J. Ward Donte Whitner Next tier free agent safeties Chris Clemons Louis Delmas Major Wright Mike Mitchell Antoine Bethea Brandon Meriweather Top free agent cornerbacks Aqib Talib Vontae Davis Alterraun Verner Next tier free agent cornerbacks Captain Munnerlyn Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Antonio Cromartie Tarell Brown Walter Thurmond Brandon Browner Saints position priority: high What the Saints might do in free agency: The Saints hit a home run when they signed Keenan Lewis and drafted Kenny Vaccaro last season. However, if they don't re-sign Malcolm Jenkins, their safety depth is looking dangerously thin. The Saints tendered restricted free agent Rafael Bush and could be prepared to go with Vaccaro and Bush next season. But they'll still need to add a safety in the draft or free agency. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Saints look for an affordable cornerback to play alongside Lewis after releasing Jabari Greer. The Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn is a name that's been thrown out as a possibility to fit with the Saints. That's another position where they need depth. When Lewis was sent out of their playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles with an injury, the Saints had only Trevin Wade and Rod Sweeting to rely on. This is a big need for the Saints that they'll want to address this offseason. Full Article New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: defensive back \| NOLA.com Attached Thumbnails MarchingOn likes this.
	It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. ~ Henry David Thoreau