New Orleans Saints have two of NFL.com’s top 101 free agents
The New Orleans Saints have 20-plus free agents hitting the open market but only two are considered in the top 50 available by NFL.com.
There’s no denying the New Orleans Saints will have a franchise-changing offseason. While they do have 20-plus free agents hitting the market, they’ll be making key decisions in the draft and then for their long-term future as well.
While some players may not hit the market, the Saints, in an attempt to clear cap space, could move on from other players as well. That said, the Saints, with so many free agents, will be forced to be quite active in this upcoming free agency period.
Well, compared to the field, the Saints aren’t losing the most talent. According to a recent NFL.com article written by analysts Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling, the Saints have two of the league’s top 101 free agents.
Drew Brees and Vonn Bell are the two that cracked the top 50. In the top 101, the Saints notch six total with Eli Apple, Teddy Bridgewater, Andrus Peat and David Onyemata also making the high-profile list.
With that said, let’s dive into what those two specifically said on the team’s top two free agents.
No. 14 — Drew Brees
“Based on Brees’ Instagram post announcing his return and coach Sean Payton‘s public comments, both sides expect this Brees contract negotiation to go down more easily than the last few times at the bargaining table.”
Brees is returning, and he’ll need a new contact. The 41-year-old quarterback has had the league’s completion percentage for three straight seasons and continued to play at a high level. His return will likely signal an end to Teddy Bridgewater’s time in the Big Easy.
No. 33 — Vonn Bell
“Bell has a reputation as a “box safety” because he can blitz and deliver hits in the running game, but the 25-year-old also covers opposing tight ends well enough. This is the type of skill set nearly every team is looking for.”
As for Bell, the Saints could also opt to not pay him. They have a solid option in C.J. Gardner-Johnson that could potentially replace Bell, but given his grown with the team’s system, Bell’s considered one of the top safeties hitting the market.
Next. Top 30 players in New Orleans Saints’ history. dark
That said, the Saints, needless to say, will have to make some big-time decisions both on to retain Bell, Peat, Onyemata, and Apple and how much they want to pay Brees. Well have those answer within the next few weeks though.