Should the Saints actually target free agent DE Jadeveon Clowney?

The New Orleans Saints still have some cap space left after releasing guard Larry Warford. Should they use it on the best pass rusher still in free agency?

Just a few weeks ago, the New Orleans Saints opted to release three-time Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford.

His release freed up around $8 million in cap space. While there’s still a debate on whether it was worse killing the team’s offensive line depth, the decision was made, and given the addition of Cesar Ruiz in the draft, it seems like the right one.

As aforementioned, that means the Saints, a team that has made some big-time moves in free agency still have some cash to spend.

Their heads should be turned to Jadeveon Clowney, the league’s best pass rusher that still a free agent. It’s not that Marcus Davenport won’t ever get it together, but the versatility and depth that Clowney could give the team would be paramount for later on in the season.

That said, although Davenport has played 26 games in his career, his late-season injury hurt the Saints against the Vikings last offseason. That’s where Clowney, who the Saints may have interest in, comes into play.

Over the last three seasons, Clowney has totaled 21.5 sacks and eight fumble recovers. He notched18.5 of those sacks during his last two seasons in Houston before being traded to Seattle where he never truly found his footing.

For Clowney, it could be a win-win. He could help the Saints go deep in the playoffs and get himself a larger contract next offseason.

He’s coming off a down season. So, much like Teddy Bridgewater did, he could prove his immense worth with the Saints and, as Nader Mirfiq posted, could re-enter free agency with a much higher price tag on his name.

At the end of the day, the Saints should target him, but given how much they’ll put on that one-year deal and already with a few stellar defensive linemen, I wouldn’t expect too much from NOLA on this one.