A week of free agency is in the books for the NFL, and it’s fair to say it’s been a solid week for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have already been more active than people thought they would be, as they’ve worked to re-sign players and add new talent. Of course, it’s still early, so New Orleans has a ton of work left to do, but the team is off to a good start.
During the first week of free agency, New Orleans pulled off a trade for Davon Godchaux, landed Justin Reid, and lost Paulson Adebo, while also re-signing key players and signing other important depth players. Let’s take a look at every signing and grade each individually.
Saints free agency grades
Davon Godchaux, DT, Trade
Grade: B
This technically isn’t a free agency move, but it is grouped with all the madness that took place during the first week of free agency. New Orleans sent a 2026 seventh-round pick to the New England Patriots to get Davon Godchaux for two seasons. When it comes to a trade, a future seventh-round pick is like the least compensation a team can give up, so on that end, this was a phenomenal deal for New Orleans.
Godchaux, a veteran run stopper, addresses the team’s need at interior defensive line. He won’t be around long, but he should help elevate the defense over the next two seasons.
Chase Young, DE, 3-year, $51 million deal
Grade: B
Going into free agency, it didn’t seem like New Orleans would be able to keep Chase Young. After a 5.5-sack season, and plenty more pressures, Young improved his value around the league. However, the Saints were able to keep him, offering him some long-term security with a three-year deal.
Young is healthy, and will only be 26 years old next season. If he can improve at all over the next couple of years, New Orleasn may have him on a bargain.
Dante Pettis, WR, 1-year, $1.3 million deal
Grade: C
This move doesn’t really impact much in the grand scheme of things, and that’s why it’s just a C. Dante Pettis will continue to serve as a depth receiver and special teams player, like he did last season. If New Orleans continues to add to the wide receiver room like it should, Pettis could end up back on the practice squad.
Justin Reid, S, 3-year, $31.5 million deal
Grade: A
The signing of Justin Reid is undoubtedly New Orleans’ best move so far this offseason, and one that caught a lot of people off guard. The expectation was that Reid would land with a contender, but he decided to come home, without the Saints even having to overpay him.
There was concern when New Orleans lost Will Harris to the Washington Commanders, but that concern quickly evaporated when Reid was signed. He’ll now create a really good duo with Tyrann Mathieu as the Saints defense tries to get back on track.
Juwan Johnson, TE, 3-year, $30 million deal
Grade: B-
Juwan Johnson was another veteran player that could’ve moved on if he wanted to, but he ultimately decided to stay with the Saints. Coming off his best season, he’ll continue his ascension in New Orleans from an undrafted receiver turned tight end to a solid starting tight end. While his story is great, he still doesn’t provide the game-changing tight end abilities that Saints fans have been clamoring for since Jimmy Graham’s prime.
Isaac Yiadom, CB, 3-year, $9 million deal
Grade: C+
Just as there was concern for the safety spot after losing Will Harris, there was even more concern for the cornerback room when Paulson Adebo agreed to join the New York Giants. With Marshon Lattimore traded last season, the once deep cornerback group had quickly got thin. The return of Isaac Yiadom will help with that. He’s not a starting-caliber corner like Adebo, but he will provide some important depth.
Jack Stoll, TE, 1-year deal
Grade: C+
This was an interesting signing because New Orleans already has a few tight ends. However, Jack Stoll was with Kellen Moore in Philadelphia, and he’s a really good run blocker. Moore bringing Stoll to New Orleans could be a glimpse at the offensive identity he’s hoping to establish for the team, and Stoll is also another depth piece.
Will Clapp, OL, 1-year deal
Grade: C+
The biggest weakness for New Orleans last season was offensive line depth, especially on the interior. Bringing back Will Clapp addresses that issue. The veteran is preparing for his eighth year in the league, and has played in 66 total games, starting 22. He isn’t a big, flashy signing, but he’s a necessary addition for the Saints to improve.