2016 NFL free agency: 10 targets for New Orleans Saints

2016 NFL free agency: 10 players the New Orleans Saints should target

Oct 12, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) makes a catch for a touchdown over Carolina Panthers cornerback Melvin White (23) during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals and the Panthers tie in overtime 37-37. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 01, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (92) tries to block this pass from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) during the first half of the game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Name: Haloti Ngata
Position: DT
Age next season: 32
2015 Team: Detroit Lions
2015 Cap hit: $8.5M

You probably notice that cap number and wonder how in the world the New Orleans Saints can afford to sign Ngata. Well, he’s 32 and isn’t the All-Pro player he was with the Baltimore Ravens. He won’t be getting another giant contract.

He played in 14 games in 2015, finishing with just 24 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks and three passes defended. But putting up flashy numbers outside of the tackling department has never really been his thing.

Ngata is a good pass-rushing presence, not when it comes to getting sacks, but by being disruptive. He constantly collapses the line, causing quarterbacks to hurry and make bad decisions.

His real specialty is filling the gaps and tightening the running lanes — something the Saints’ defense has been inconsistent at doing lately (second-worst run defense in 2015).

New Orleans should consider Ngata. The 6-foot-4, 345-pound monster is a veteran presence with some good production left in the tank, who should be affordable this time around in the free agent market. He could be a difference maker for another year or two, similar to what the Saints got out of Darren Sharper at the end of his career, but we’ll stop there.

Next: Big man for Brees