New Orleans Saints: One offensive, one defensive player that will be cap casualty in 2021

Nick Easton

Another player that Corry noted that the Saints need to consider releasing is backup guard Nick Easton. Easton has also played some center for New Orleans, but for his price tag, the word backup is what should be amplified.

Easton has been an important factor for this team in the past. After all, the Saints have struggled with injuries to Andrus Peat and Terron Armstead in the past. Easton has oftentimes stepped up and played well.

"“Center/guard Nick Easton’s $6.5 million 2021 salary (on a $6.875 million cap number) is too much for a backup. His departure would create $5.875 million of cap room,” Corry wrote when diving into the Saints cap situation and potential fixes."

He logged snaps in 12 games, playing in 100 percent of the offensive snaps in four. He started nine games as well. Just looking at those, it’s clear Easton was a factor for this team. He managed just one accepted penalty all season, a holding call.

The Saints may prefer to keep Easton over other players on their line, but in their current situation, it seems like Easton will be the odd man out. Easton’s impact is there, but compared to a player like Emmanuel Sanders, it doesn’t seem likely they’d value the guard more.

Both Easton and Brown will find teams elsewhere if released, but given their contract, it feels more than likely their time in the Big Easy may eventually come to an end this offseason.