New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) runs the ball after intercepting a pass during first half action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Staff photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE
NFL free agency is around the corner and when the league’s negotiating window opens Monday, New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said he expects the team to be more active than in past years.
What does that mean? Well, for one, the Saints have already begun clearing space to become cap compliant in time for the new league year, which officially starts Wednesday. But it remains to be seen how much room they’ll create in order to do business ahead of coach Kellen Moore's first season.
If the Saints plan to go shopping on the open market, they have quite a few needs to fill. The Saints had one of the league’s worst defenses in the NFL last season, are implementing new schemes on both sides of the ball and lacked the depth to withstand injuries across the roster. And in addition to exploring outside free agents, the Saints have 19 players that can soon sign with other teams if no new contract is agreed upon before Monday.
Let’s take a deeper look at the market and who’s set to hit free agency for the Saints.
### Notable Saints free agents
**CB Paulson Adebo:** Adebo suffered a season-ending broken leg in October, but he’s progressed enough that he has uploaded a video of him dunking a basketball. Just 25 years old, Adebo is notably younger than other top free-agent corners in this year’s class such as Carlton Davis (29) and Charvarius Ward (29). Adebo expects to have several suitors across the league and it’s unlikely he’ll have to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal. Could he reunite with Marshon Lattimore in Washington or Dennis Allen in Chicago? A source with knowledge of the situation said the Saints haven’t closed the door on Adebo. But Adebo is pursuing a deal that would make him one of the league’s 10 highest-paid corners, a pricetag that might put New Orleans out of the hunt.
**DE Chase Young:** The Saints were pleased with Young’s contributions last year, even if his sack totals (5 ½) underwhelmed. And, according to Next Gen Stats, Young ranked sixth in quarterback pressures — which suggests he was more productive than the boxscore indicated. And crucially for Young, he was healthy for the first time in his career — playing all 17 games. Will that result in a team giving him a multi-year contract? And if so, what will it look like? Pro Football Focus predicts Young will land a two-year, $35 million deal with $20 million guaranteed. That would be a bump from the one-year, $13 million contract signed last offseason, but not one that might scare New Orleans away.
**TE Juwan Johnson**: Loomis said addressing tight end would be on the Saints’ checklist this offseason. But will that include re-signing Johnson? The 28-year-old is coming off a career season (50 catches for 548 yards), though his three biggest games of the year came without Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave in the lineup. Johnson has been linked heavily to the Denver Broncos, a move that could reunite him with former Saints coach Sean Payton.
**Quick hitters:** DE Payton Turner feels like a classic one-year flyer for somebody after the healthiest season of his career … Moore said New Orleans’ offensive line was one of the appeals of the job. But the interior needs to be addressed with Lucas Patrick, Oli Udoh, Landon Young and Shane Lemieux set to be free agents … Klint Kubiak loved a fullback, but Moore has taken a different approach his offenses — which might spell the end of Adam Prentice’s tenure with the Saints … If Will Harris leaves or is not re-signed, the Saints will have to find a new starting safety opposite Tyrann Mathieu.
**Saints free agents:** Adebo, Young, Johnson, Turner, Patrick, Lemieux, Harris, Prentice, Udoh, Landon Young, DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, LB Nephi Sewell (ERFA), T Justin Herron, WR Dante Pettis, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, LB Willie Gay Jr., CB Ugo Amadi, DE Trajan Jeffcoat
When NFL coaches are hired by a new team, they love to bring in players from past stops to help establish a culture and incorporate schemes. So let’s take a look at those familiar with Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
**EDGE Khalil Mack:** Yes, the Saints are tight against the cap but the team has found ways to be creative before — like when New Orleans signed Derek Carr and Jarius Byrd to big deals. Mack not only has familiarity with Staley — the Chargers’ coach from 2021-23 — but he would fill one of the Saints’ biggest holes on the roster. He’s maybe (probbaly?) too expensive for the Saints, but worth keeping an eye on given the connection.
**DE Joey Bosa**: Bosa fits the same criteria as Mack given the ties to Staley and New Orleans’ need for a pass rusher. But he arguably comes with more risk as injuries have affected Bosa the last few years. Still, at 29, Bosa is five years younger than Mack and made the Pro Bowl last season. If they’re interested, though, the Saints could face steep competition from the San Francisco 49ers — who might want to reunite Bosa with his brother Nick, also a star pass rusher.
**G Mekhi Beckton:** Beckton was one of the league’s pleasant surprises last season when he had newfound success after leaving the Jets to join the Eagles. A transition to guard helped him greatly. He could also be out of New Orleans’ price range considering the lack of quality offensive lineman available in free agency this year.
**WR Josh Palmer**: A solid receiver, Palmer averaged his most yards per catch in his lone year with Moore in 2023. He could give the Saints some insurance if the Saints are hit hard by injuries again next season.
**RB Kenneth Gainwell**: The Saints just released Jamaal Williams and while they fit different roles — Gainwell is more of a pass-catching back —Gainwell could serve as a weapon for Moore to compliment starter Alvin Kamara. Gainwell, if signed, could also perhaps push third-year back Kendre Miller for RB2.