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Officially, at 3 p.m. today, the Saints can begin building their roster back to a level they believes will take them back deep into the playoffs.

Unofficially, that building began in January with addition by subtraction.

In the time since New Orleans lost at Seattle and today, the Saints have dispatched with veterans Will Smith, Jabari Greer, Roman Harper, Lance Moore and Darren Sproles.

Throw in the team’s unrestricted free agents – Malcolm Jenkins, Zach Strief and Brian de la Puente, to name a few – and New Orleans’ roster suddenly feels airy with holes to fill.

Then again, that’s the beautiful thing about the NFL. Just when you think it’s bad, free agency opens up, the draft happens and suddenly the roster is restocked.

It’s similar to 2009, when the Saints parted with the franchise’s leading rusher Deuce McAllister, fan favorite fullback Mike Karney and receiver David Patten.

That year they ended up signing fullback Heath Evans, Greer and safety Darren Sharper while also re-signing receiver Devery Henderson and linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

In other words, while New Orleans isn’t in a great spot cap-wise thanks to having to re-sign tight end Jimmy Graham, there are always underrated gets (Greer), emotionally taxing losses (McAllister) and key re-signs (Vilma).
Here’s our view of the Saints’ five biggest needs when the door is pushed open today:
(*Note: Top available doesn’t necessarily mean affordable)

No. 1: Safety

You could easily put cornerback as the position of greatest need but it’s hard to argue against safety.

After all, in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s safety-heavy alignment, he’ll have only one – Kenny Vaccaro - formally on the roster when free agency begins.

Jenkins would like to return, but he’ll have options; he’s a young player (26) with lots of experience and is a natural leader.

New Orleans tendered Rafael Bush as a restricted free agent and likely will involve him more should no other team swoop in and grab him.

Still, that leaves them woefully undermanned at a critical position.

Price could play a factor here considering what the Saints need on the roster and which position they covet. Then again, the market at cornerback could be pricey.

Top safeties available: Malcolm Jenkins, Jairus Byrd, Donte Whitner, Chris Clemons, Michael Mitchell

Read more: What the Saints need as free agency begins | wwltv.com New Orleans

arsaint

I think offensive line just jumped way up on my priority list!

papz

For the most part, we're set along the line. Shouldn't be difficult securing a inexpensive vet to man RT if Strief isn't brought back. Or, we could certainly draft a RT and plug him in. Lelito should be fine a C. We've always changed centers like dirty underwear and for the most part, been just fine there with whomever we've plugged in. It's always nice to have two stud guards to help mask deficiencies there. We're going to draft two OL... I think that's pretty much going to be a given. Easier to break a rookie RT in as opposed to a LT. I'm not overly concerned because I'm confident it'll work itself out and we'll be just fine.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

QBREES9

It all starts with the five guys up front.

Rugby Saint II

A center in the second and a tackle somewhere after that. WR in the first?
We also need to address CB.