Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) carries in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Gerald Herbert
The [New Orleans Saints](https://www.nola.com/tncms/asset/editorial/30197dbb-d07d-4e2c-a139-88aec49b8d60/) have an opportunity to do something this offseason that they’ve avoided over the last few years. They can spend money.
The Saints’ salary cap troubles are far less complicated this year than what had become the norm for the black and gold. While they still entered the offseason over the cap, the work New Orleans has to do to become cap compliant is relatively light work for cap guru Khai Harley. And if they want to, the Saints can restructure enough contracts to open considerable cap room in free agency.
General manager Mickey Loomis and coach Kellen Moore have cautioned that the Saints still need to build their roster the right way, even while quarterback Tyler Shough’s rookie-scale contract opens a window for the team.
The end product may not result in the Saints going on a full-on shopping spree, but there’s enough out there to update the wardrobe, so to speak.
So who might they target? Let’s take a look at some plausible targets.
### Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars RB
With the Jets’ Breece Hall given the franchise tag, Kenneth Walker is lined up to be the most pursued running back in free agency. But Etienne wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize for those not willing to dip into Walker’s price range, projected to be as high as $15 million per year. Etienne has been hit or miss as a pro, but he’s still topped 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons. The Saints were mentioned as a possible suitor for the former first-rounder by NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry.
The consensus is that this free-agent guard class is loaded, but the Saints don’t necessarily see it that way. Still, Johnson is worth keeping an eye on because of his connections to coach Kellen Moore. Moore coached Johnson in 2023 when he was the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, and the 26-year-old has improved since then. While Johnson hasn’t always been the steadiest in pass protection, he was the Chargers’ most dependable lineman last year — especially because he played all 17 games. His health would almost certainly appeal to the Saints given the team’s struggles to stay healthy up front in recent years. It is unknown, however, if New Orleans is willing to shell out the $17-20 million per year it could take to land him.
Another player with a connection to Moore. Gainwell was a nice change-of-pace back for the Eagles when Moore served as Philadelphia’s play-caller in 2024, and the 26-year-old went on to shine with the Steelers last year. Named team MVP for Pittsburgh, Gainwell is an effective playmaker in the passing game, as he has almost as many career receiving yards (1,207) as rushing (1,722).
### Asante Samuel Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers CB
After undergoing spine surgery last April, Samuel was linked to the Saints all last season until he signed with Pittsburgh in November. He is familiar with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, having begun his career with the Chargers. Samuel would make sense as a cheaper replacement for Alontae Taylor should the Saints cornerback depart in free agency.
If the Saints want to stay away from higher-priced guards, such as Johnson and Buffalo’s David Edwards, Paul could be an intriguing play for upside. A former seventh-round pick in 2022, Paul has developed nicely and unseated rookie Brandon Coleman in Washington last year to earn a starting spot. The 27-year-old is big, strong and ranked eighth among all guards in pass-block win rate in 2025.
### Quay Walker, Green Bay Packers LB
If the Saints want to get more athletic at linebacker, Walker could be an expensive option worth the swing. Walker can cover the middle of the field, something the Saints’ linebackers have struggled to do over the last few seasons. There are also differing opinions on the 25-year-old’s impact, as ESPN ranked him as the 10th-best available free agent, while The Athletic put him at No. 57. He’d also be a nice fallback option if Demario Davis leaves and the Saints want a more veteran option than 2025 fourth-rounder Danny Stutsman.
Released on Feb. 16, Westbrook-Ikhine is eligible to sign anytime. He’s coming off a down season with Miami, but at 6-foot-2, he’s a steady run blocker and could contribute in special teams. The Saints make this kind of signing every year, and Westbrook-Ikhine would make sense as a low-cost flyer.
### Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles TE
The Saints are bracing for their tight end room to look dramatically different next season. With Jack Stoll and Foster Moreau free agents, and with Taysom Hill’s possible retirement, Juwan Johnson and Moliki Matavao are set up to be the main holdovers. Goedert would add a veteran to the mix, one who can contribute to the passing attack and hold up as a blocker. He also overlapped with Moore in 2024.
Punter might be one of the Saints’ biggest needs. New Orleans might prefer to take a shot on another undrafted free agent, but if it turns to a veteran, Wright is coming off a season in which 38.5% of his punts landed inside the 20. At the very least, incumbent Kai Kroeger needs competition.
### Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB
Signing the player who has historically tormented you might not always be the soundest strategy. But against New Orleans, Tucker has looked like a legitimate superstar, and it could be worth seeing if that translates to the black and gold. More than a third — 34.2% — of his career rushing yards have come against the Saints, including his 136-yard outing in Tampa Bay’s 51-27 rout in 2024. Tucker has been buried on Tampa Bay’s depth chart, so maybe he’s a diamond in the rough. Maybe.