Smoke around Breece Hall now has real implications for Saints

The New Orleans Saints’ odds at getting a running back in free agency keep getting slimmer and slimmer. The latest knock to the case is the report of the New York Jets planning to use a tag on Breece Hall if a deal can’t be reached before free agency begins. 

Jets General Manager Darren Mougey told the media, "We’ll find a way to keep Breece here if we can’t get a deal done." In other words, the Jets will slap the franchise tag on the running back to ensure he stays in New York for at least one more season.

Prior to this statement, Javonte Williams and the Dallas Cowboys agreed to a deal worth $8 million per year. That deal made the floor of guys above him likely out of the Saints’ range of willingness. That meant players like Hall were already unlikely in theory. However, unlikely doesn’t mean ruled out. The franchise tag would completely take Hall off the table.

Jeremiyah Love is the Saints best bet for a bellcow

The real question becomes what are the Saints willing to pay. If you look at the Williams contract in relation to his peers, it guarantees Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne and Hall receive at least $10 million. The Saints may not be willing to go that far.

The guys who will cost less may not be seen as true every down, lead backs. Rico Dowdle has ran for 1000 years in each of the last two seasons. He would be a solid pick up in free agency. There's just questions if he can carry a rushing attack or if he HAS to be in a committee. A Dowdle signing also doesn't completely rule out grabbing Jeremiyah Love.

With that in mind, Love feels like the best bet at grabbing a true bellcow running back this offseason. Additionally, he'll be younger than the free agent options. There's a benefit in going with Love. The Saints would have him on a cost efficient contract for his prime years, and they would be able to address a huge need with a versatile and dynamic weapon.

The only problem with stepping into the draft with Love on the mind is the draft is also extremely volatile. Love could easily get picked before the Saints are on the clock. There's not many players who are looked at as more of a sure thing than the Notre Dame running back. There's just a belief being a running back could cause hesitation early in the draft. It just takes one team though.