4 veteran free agents Saints should consider signing before Week 1

3. Mitchell Schwartz

It might seem odd to include an offensive tackle on here but hear me out. The starting offensive line is one of the best in the league and that’s hard for anyone to debate.

The issue, however, is the depth, which as we saw in the preseason, isn’t very good. If any of the starting tackles go down, James Hurst is a solid backup but otherwise, there isn’t much to write home about. Landon Young is a rookie and throwing him out there too soon could ruin his development.

That’s why Mitchell Schwartz makes a ton of sense for the Saints.

Schwartz is most known for his years spent with the Chiefs where he won a Super Bowl as KC’s right tackle. Schwartz didn’t miss a single NFL start until last year when he had to exit a Week 6 game due to a nagging back injury. He had surgery on his back over the offseason and is still waiting for a team to sign with.

The Saints wouldn’t sign Schwartz to start but simply as a depth piece. He could also be an option to keep around as a potential right tackle if the Saints decide to move Ryan Ramczyk to left tackle if/when Terron Armstead leaves next year.

Schwartz was one of the best right tackles in the league prior to his injury and if he’s recovered and ready to roll, why not give him a shot as a backup?