Should Saints Be Interested in Charles Woodson Now That He Wants to Play For a Rebuilding Team?

Oct 23, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (21) celebrates his interception against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at the Metrodome. The Packers win 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NFL draft is over, and unsurprisingly, there are some veterans such as Charles Woodson still available on the market who are now willing to take less money and perhaps play for rebuilding franchises such as the New Orleans Saints now that they realize the market for their services is slim.

Thus is the case for Woodson, who wanted to play for a contender before the NFL draft. Woodson was passed over by all of the contenders leading up to the draft, and if he now wants to continue his career, he’s going to have to settle for what he can get.

Woodson realizes this, as he told NFL Network (per ProFootballTalk):

"“When this process first started out, that was my thing, I needed to go to a contender,” Woodson said Thursday on NFL Network.  “I know I am towards the end of my career.  At this point, I want to play football.  So if it is a rebuilding stage, at this point if that is the circumstances I have to play under, then that is what I am going to do.”“It is kind  of the process, but at the same time it is frustrating,” Woodson said.  “You have guys that can flat out play football.  You look at Dwight Freeney and what he is able to do.  They had a system last year that is different than he is used to playing, but he can play football.  John Abraham, he led his team in sacks and you say, ‘We don’t have a spot for you on our roster?’  I can’t understand that.  Myself, I am just a ballplayer.  I need to be on a team.”"

Woodson may be able to get the best of both worlds in New Orleans. Technically the defense is rebuilding, but the Saints could easily be a contender next season thanks to the explosive offense.

The ball is in the Saints’ court.

New Orleans did just draft Kenny Vaccaro and seems dead-set on keeping Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper around. The team has been struggling with cap and just signed all of its rookie class minus John Jenkins.

In other words, the Saints have to find the money and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has to want his services.

It may be a long shot, but adding a playmaker like Woodson at this stage of the offseason could do nothing but help. Even if he does not see the field much, the Saints could use a veteran presence to teach and lead what was an embarrassingly undisciplined secondary last season.

Not to mention the sound of Woodson mentoring Vaccaro is very, very nice.

Sooner or later Woodson is going to find a home. New Orleans could be that home, even if it’s just for the leadership factor. Stay tuned.

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