Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: New Orleans Saints
With free agency now into its fifth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
A third consecutive 7–9 season leaves the Saints stuck in limbo. Do they start to rebuild with an eye to the future? Or do they reload to make a final push in quarterback Drew Brees’ twilight years? It seems to be the latter, as Brees is still one of the league’s top quarterbacks. He just needs a better defense to back him up. Here are the Saints’ five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Trading Brandin Cooks
Cooks became the centre of trade rumours last season when he complained about his role in the Saints’ offense. This off-season, Cooks was shipped to the Patriots in exchange for the 32nd overall pick. New Orleans also swapped a 4th rounder for a 3rd as part of the trade. With Michael Thomas proving to be a top target in his rookie season last year, Cooks was expendable in a loaded offense. The Saints now have two first round picks that they can use to upgrade their defense, either through the Draft or in a potential trade for New England cornerback Malcolm Butler.
2 — Re-signing Nick Fairley
After issues with consistency and injuries throughout his career, Nick Fairley signed a one year prove-it deal with New Orleans last off-season. It paid off, as the 29 year old defensive tackle started every game and was second on the team with 6.5 sacks. As a reward, the Saints signed him to a four year, $60 million deal to anchor their defensive line. Fairley is stout against the run and can also generate pressure from the interior on passing downs, if he can stay healthy.
3 — Signing A.J. Klein
The Saints began re-tooling their defense by signing linebacker A.J. Klein to a four year, $24 million deal. Klein was primarily a backup and rotational player in Carolina after bring selected in the 5th round in 2013 by the Panthers. Klein saw action in 15 games last season, with seven starts. He logged a sack, a batted pass, and two forced fumbles. Klein will compete with Dannell Ellerbe and Hau’oli Kikaha for playing time on the outside, and the Saints are betting that he is ready for a larger role.
4 — Signing Larry Warford
Due to Brees’ shorter stature, the Saints rely more on their guards as pass protectors rather than tackles. Warford has missed a few games due to injury throughout his career but plays at a high level when healthy. He started 15 games for Detroit last season and is only 25. He signed a four year, $34 million deal with New Orleans.
5 — Signing Ted Ginn Jr.
The Saints signed former Carolina Panther Ted Ginn Jr. to a three year, $11 million deal. Ginn will replace Cooks as the primary deep threat for Brees, and head coach Sean Payton says he has a plan on exactly how he will use him. Ginn is 31, but still had 54 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns last season in Carolina. His longest catch went 88 yards for a score. Ginn can also contribute as a punt or kick-off returner on special teams and is always a touchdown threat in the return game.
