We’re already in February and free agency opens officially on March 10th. All NFL teams have to be under the salary cap by 4pm on that day, which means the Saints have their work cut out for them. It’s safe to assume they’ll be some amount of movement both in terms of financial tweaking and player separation. What those moves will be specifically remains to be seen and we will address that soon. For now it’s worth taking a quick look at who will be available, who fits what the Saints do, and who might help the team get better (all while making sense financially). Stuck in a worse predicament last year, don’t forget the Saints signed Jairus Byrd to a record deal for a safety at the time. So you can’t rule out a big move. I’ve had a chance to dig into the market with this piece I did for This Given Sunday and I have some initial thoughts on players that could help the Saints:
1. C. J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills
What the Saints offense missed in 2014 was the lack of that pass catching back that was a matchup nightmare for linebackers. Part of what has made this offense so successful in the past was the Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles element. Even if you’re not a Saints fan but you follow football, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Travaris Cadet has some ability but it’s clear he’s not able to fill that role in a way that would make the Saints offense what it used to be. The Saints need that matchup security valve for Brees. Spiller was the man in 2012 and 2013 but injuries in 2014 would perhaps make him more amenable to a platoon system. We know running backs are facing a buyer’s market and their value is at an all time low. Spiller has explosive 4.37 speed and he’s caught 158 balls in his five year career. I could see him catching 60 to 70 passes with the Saints as a receiving back. For what it’s worth, Bush’s career yards per catch is at 7.5 and Spiller’s is at 7.6 (Sproles at 9.0). The Saints are not going to break the bank for Spiller, but would you rather have Khiry Robinson as the main runner with Spiller and PT spelling him, or Mark Ingram back with no Spiller? Not saying there’s an easy answer there, but it’s an intriguing possibility.
2. Rodney Hudson, C, Kansas City Chiefs
This might be a tough pull. Hudson is 25 and he’s a great player. And while Brian de la Puente is not on his level, I have a very vivid memory of how awful the market was for him as a starting center last year. Teams seem to only invest in guards and tackles. If the Saints don’t re-sign Jonathan Goodwin, they’ll go younger, but don’t expect them to hand the job to Tim Lelito. If they liked Lelito that much, they wouldn’t have signed Goodwin to begin with. Hudson would greatly boost the Saints interior at a possibly more affordable price than a solid guard. Or here’s a theory… if Grubbs walks, let Lelito battle Kelemete for a job at guard, and use the money for Hudson instead?
3. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Arizona Cardinals
The Saints need a #2 corner and then some. They might be able to get Cromartie on a decent deal as he signed a 1 year ~$4 million contract with the Cardinals last offseason. He’s a year older at 31 and despite a solid season and 3 more interceptions to show for it, is he really going to command more this time around?
4. Bruce Carter, OLB, Dallas Cowboys
Sean Payton doesn’t drop hints on team needs or where the Saints lack talent very often. So when he said during the season that the team lacked speed to the ball you have to believe young explosive legs at linebacker are a must. Nothing against David Hawthorne and Parys Haralson who are solid vets and had their moments, but their speed to the ball is not their greatest asset. Enter Bruce Carter. Carter has had an up and down couple years in Dallas in the 4-3 system, but he’s been a starter. Before Rob Ryan left, though, he was a blossoming young player in a 3-4 system that fit him better. Ryan knows him, could find a place for him, and play him to his strengths. And most importantly, the 4.57 speed is something the Saints could really use. It’s worth noting he had 5 interceptions in 2014 (two coming in the season finale against the Redskins) and the Saints as a team had 12.
5. Walter Thurmond III, CB, New York Giants
There were rumors the Saints were interested in Thurmond last offseason before he left the Seahawks and signed with the Giants. It seemed unlikely to work out at the time because winning a Super Bowl always seems to over inflate a player’s value. Thurmond’s good campaign in 2013 earned him $3.5 million for one year with the Giants, but he only played in two games before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season. That seems like a preferable season ending injury, if there is such a thing, in terms of a corner being able to bounce back the following season. At least it should not affect his speed/movement which is most critical at that position. But he’ll likely have to take a “prove yourself” deal this offseason. He’s not a given to be a starter but he’d be an immediate upgrade at corner depth over most of the guys on the roster.
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