At this point the best free agents are gone. Your crazy pipe dream wishes of having Danny Trevathan, Mario Williams or Kelechi Osemele in black and gold can be laid to rest. But with the first week of free agency over, there’s still some players that can be added to upgrade the team’s roster. Below are my top 10 players that fit the Saints and would represent an upgrade. While guys like Eric Weddle and Ryan Fitzpatrick would be on a lot of top 10 remaining lists, they don’t below here because the fit is poor. So these guys below are the best remaining that I actually want the Saints to pursue:
1. Chris Long, DE, St. Louis Rams
Great leader, high character guy, and an excellent pass rusher. Health is the issue with him and he’s got tons of interest. He should be off the market soon, but he tops my wish list.
2. Stefen Wisniewski, C, Jacksonville Jaguars
He’s my top choice on the market right now if the Saints can convince him to go back to guard. He’s played center the last 4 years in the NFL as a starter for both the Raiders and Jags, but when his career started he was a left guard. He’s had injuries but he’s only 26 and a good player. I think this is the best option left for the Saints at guard. If he demands to play center, though, then you’re obviously set with Unger.
3. Evan Mathis, G, Denver Broncos
He’s 34 and he’s probably not cheap. The Saints won’t sign him because he’ll take up a lot of cap space. That’s because he’s both expensive and a short term deal player (1/2 years) and that adds up to a huge cap hit in 2016. I don’t see how this works financially. If it could, though, I’d take the 1 year rental. The Saints badly need a plus guard.
4. Nick Fairley, DT, St. Louis Rams
Yes, I know the Rams are in Los Angeles now. But Fairley never played in LA. This player really worried me. The Saints are apparently interested and there’s no question he’s an upgrade on the field. But the character issues don’t seem to fit the overhaul Sean Payton is going after. So I’m real conflicted on this one. The Saints need defensive help, bad, but at the expense of the character crusade? I’m not sure.
5. Brandon Boykin, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Saints have more pressing needs, but Boykin is an excellent nickel corner.
6. Jason Jones, DE, Detroit Lions
I don’t consider him awesome or anything but he’s a balanced three down end that had 4.5 sacks last year. The defensive line needs any help it can get. A proven starter when healthy.
7. Terrance Knighton, DT, Washington Redskins
A run stuffer only. 2 down player, but he does that extremely well. He’s a bit one dimensional and wouldn’t bring the pocket push the Saints need, but at this point run stopping will be fine.
8. Chris Conte, S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Saints are looking at him and with Rafael Bush gone they definitely need safety depth. He’s more of a strong safety but he gives the Saints the liberty to move Vaccaro around.
9. Bruce Carter, OLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
He had a miserable year last year but I liked him a lot as a free agent in the offseason. He can cover, something the Saints could use.
10. Patrick Robinson, CB, San Diego Chargers
The Saints wanted him back last year and he had a terrific season. You can never have too many competent corners.
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