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Breaking down Saints defensive end Alex Okafor's one-year contract

Josh Katzenstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

The New Orleans Saints didn't have many top-tier options as they scanned the free-agent market for a pass rusher, but they managed to find someone who has performed well in the past and signed him to a reasonable deal.

Alex Okafor, who spent his first four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, signed with the Saints Tuesday after some recruitment from New Orleans players, including his college teammate Kenny Vaccaro.

Okafor's contract resembles the one the Saints made for defensive tackle Nick Fairley last year. Like Fairley, Okafor has proven production on his resume -- 8 sacks in 2014 -- but comes to the Saints after a couple less impressive seasons.

Effectively, the 26-year-old Okafor signed a prove-it deal, one that will give him a chance to seek more money as a free agent in 2018 if he plays well. The same concept worked well for Fairley as he signed a four-year, $28 million deal last week after a strong performance in 2016.

Here are more details on Okafor's contract:
Signing bonus: $1 million
Total guarantee: $1 million
2017
Base salary: $935,000
Workout bonus: $65,000
Other bonus: Up to $1 million for playing time and sacks
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf...rt_river_index

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