Currently here are the players who’s contracts expire this offseason that the Saints will need to give new contracts to keep:
Drew Brees
Marques Colston
Carl Nicks
Tracy Porter
Robert Meachem
Aubrayo Franklin
Jonathon Amaya (exclusive rights free agent)
Adrian Arrington (restricted)
Chase Daniel (restricted)
Justin Drescher (exclusive rights free agent)
Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Ramon Humber (restricted)
John Kasay
Turk McBride
Pat McQuistan
Shaun Rogers
The priorities are clearly Brees, Colston and Nicks. They will enter free agency as unrestricted, which means they can sign with anyone they want. The risk of losing Nicks and Colston will be very high considering the market out there. There is zero doubt Drew Brees will be back, so I’m not even going to entertain the possibility of them not returning. The restricted and exclusive rights free agents are all coming back most likely, too, so that then leaves a few key players on defense.
It remains to be seen if Franklin will return, but I have to assume the Rogers experiment is over. With how well Robinson and Greer are playing, I think it’s totally conceivable that Porter is gone too. I don’t think Meachem returns, either, but I’m sure the Saints would consider it if they can get a bargain. I just have this feeling some stupid team out there will overpay for Meachem. I think the Saints will also make sure Jo-Lonn Dunbar re-signs as he could be the middle linebacker of the future.
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