3 players who could hold the New Orleans Saints ransom in 2023

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 22: Members of the New Orleans Saints offensive line including Erik McCoy #78 sit on the bench before kickofff of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 22, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Saints won 33-27. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

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Erik McCoy #78 of the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

1. Erik McCoy

Erik McCoy is one of the league’s most consistent centers, only missing five games in his four-year tenure with New Orleans. Before coming out of Texas A&M and being drafted in 2019, McCoy allowed just one sack during his college years. He carried that same energy to New Orleans.

In 2019 and 2020, New Orleans quarterbacks were among the least sacked in the league. In 202 the Saints offensive line with contribution from McCoy led the NFL in rushing touchdowns and they finished sixth in rushing yards in the league. A dominant interior presence like McCoy’s should be cherished in today’s league.

In 2021, McCoy played 93% of snaps and missed the first games of his career due to a calf injury and COVID. McCoy has played 746 total snaps and has allowed just one sack since 2019. The former second-round pick is coming off of his four-year $6 million rookie contract. This would be a tough loss to replace, as centers like McCoy come a dime a dozen.

Teams are going to go after McCoy in free agency so if the Saints don’t make re-signing him a priority, another team will be sure to snatch him up and sign him to be their center of the future.

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