Saints: 5 late-season free agency additions who could help

Tony Jefferson II, SS

The safety position is one of the “weakest” for the Saints — especially with their best backup already playing most of his time in the slot as a cornerback. Also, one of their starting safeties is “past his prime.”

It would not shock me if one of them were to go down that the Saints would find themselves in need of more depth than they currently have on the roster. That would lead them to the free-agent market among players most likely to still be there.

Tony Jefferson was a safety for the Baltimore Ravens last season before suffering an injury. An ACL tear led Jefferson to the injured reserve for most of the season and eventually led to his release and the end of the year.

Harbaugh was quoted saying, “He will bounce back from his injury.” However, it is more about who is willing to take a chance on someone with an injury like that — that is why he will still be on the market come in the middle of the year.

In 2018, the season before he tore his ACL, Jefferson grabbed one interception, knocked down six passes, had one fumble recovery and one forced fumble, and got one sack. Those are quality numbers for a backup, backup safety.