Free agency is a lot like the NFL Draft, in that the first round and first week steal all the headlines and are really chaotic, but the later rounds, just like the second and third weeks of free agency, can be just as impactful if executed properly. That’s what the New Orleans Saints are hoping to accomplish after a solid first week of free agency.
The Saints made important moves in the secondary, and to the defensive front, and also added some much-needed depth pieces on the offensive side of the ball. However, New Orleans still has a ways to go before they’ll even be viewed as a serious threat in the NFC South on paper. To get closer to that status, here are three guys that are still available the Saints could go after.
3. Offensive lineman Teven Jenkins
New Orleans still has a major need at the left guard spot, and one of the best available guards is Teven Jenkins. The veteran offensive lineman is coming off of four seasons with the Chicago Bears, and has appeared to find his footing on the interior after being drafted as a tackle. He could come to New Orleans, and solidify the Saints’ offensive line.
Lining Jenkins up next to Taliese Fuaga on the left side would improve the unit, while also having a healthy Erik McCoy at center, and Cesar Ruiz and Trevor Penning on the right side. If all five can stay on the field, the Saints would be in good shape.
2. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.
New Orleans lost Paulson Adebo to the New York Giants during the first week of free agency, and this is after trading Marshon Lattimore during last season. That left the Saints with a thin cornerback room, with just two starting caliber corners in Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor. The team did welcome back Isaac Yiadom on a three-year deal, but they still don’t have enough.
That makes Asante Samuel Jr. a great options for the team. The veteran corner played and had success under Brandon Staley during their time with the Los Angeles Chargers, and now Staley is the DC in New Orleans. Samuel can come to the Saints and start, already knowing the new system.
1. Wide receiver Keenan Allen
At the start of free agency, Keenan Allen didn’t seem like a sensible option for the Saints. He’s an older receiver— that’s still productive —but New Orleans was believed to be a team focused on the future. However, the Saints have made it clear they’re pushing all their chips to the middle of the table as they try to maximize the next couple years.
That was evident in the team’s pursuit of Cooper Kupp, who ultimately signed with the Seattle Seahawks. If New Orleans was interested in Kupp, it makes plenty of sense to pivot to Allen. Allen has already played under Kellen Moore, and he’s still been elite in recent years, making the Pro Bowl in 2023 with 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. That was the second-most productive season of his career, and it came under Moore. It’d make sense for both parties to run it back.