Do Saints need to add a veteran safety to defense or are they ready for the season?

The New Orleans Saints, and the rest of the NFL, have made it through the early, frenetic, part of free agency, and the NFL Draft. Now, as teams advance through their offseason programs, they are getting a better idea of the things they still need to address. Between the trade market and the players that are still available in free agency, there are quite a few veterans to help address remaining needs.

One position the Saints could look to address is the safety spot. New Orleans still has Tyrann Mathieu, extending him this offseason, but the franchise released Marcus Maye early in the offseason. Currently on the roster, Mathieu, Jordan Howden, Johnathan Abram, Ugo Amadi, Will Harris, Millard Bradford, Lawrence Johnson, and J.T. Gray occupy the two safety spots. Will New Orleans be good with this group or does it need to add before the season?

Should Saints target any free agent safeties?

If New Orleans wants another veteran safety, there are certainly some quality options available. Among the safeties that aren’t signed are Justin Simmons, Eddie Jackson, Quandre Diggs, and Micah Hyde. Those are just the best representatives of several quality safeties with years of good work in the NFL. No doubt that they could be a nice addition in New Orleans.

However, it won’t be the end of the world if the Saints enter the season with its current group. While we know Tyrann Mathieu will start at one safety spot, and have a pretty good idea what to expect from him, all eyes will be on Jordan Howden, the penciled in starter at the other safety spot. He’ll be entering his second season in the league after a promising first year with New Orleans.

As a rookie, Howden played in 16 games, starting seven. In those games, he recorded 43 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and five pass deflections. His performance provided a bit of comfort that he could be relied on as the full-time starter for the Saints. Looks like we’re going to find out.

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