New Orleans Saints

2017 Draft and Free Agency: Potential Targets for the Saints

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The 2016 season hasn’t even started yet (for the Saints), but here are some key free agents/rookies the Saints should look out for in 2017.

The 2016 NFL season starts this week and the New Orleans Saints still have some holes to plug in their roster. News of the Drew Brees contract extension has given a huge boost to the team’s plans as it freed up considerable cap space for this year and next.

The Black and Gold have done an excellent job of locking down the important pieces currently on their roster, and losses after this season will not be impact players.

This article will look at players from other teams who will be unrestricted free agents going into the 2017 season on whom the Saints should focus their signing efforts as well as notable high round (1-3 round) prospects likely to be in the 2017 NFL Draft. The potential draftees at quarterback are listed more comprehensively. Well past those who should be selected on the first two days.

Note that some of these players may be extended before this goes to press or certainly before free agency 2017 kicks off. While writing this, David DeCastro, guard with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who was first on my free agent list for guards, was extended.

Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Ronald Leary (65) in action during the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Guards

Free Agents: T.J. Lang – Green Bay Packers, Ron Leary – Dallas Cowboys, Jonathan Cooper – New England Patriots, Larry Warford – Detroit Lions, Dallas Thomas – Miami Dolphins

Draft Prospects: Dan Feeney – Indiana, Dorian Johnson – Pittsburgh, Ethan Pocic (C/G) – LSU, Kareem Are – Florida State, Greg Pyke – Georgia, Pat Elflein (C/G) – Ohio State

Overall, this isn’t a terribly strong bunch of talent. The Saints tried and failed to work a deal for Ron Leary earlier in the offseason and the Cowboys apparently wanted more than the Saints were willing to offer. Out of the potential draftees, Dorian Johnson looks to be the best bet. He’s considered to be one of the best guards in college football.

Other older free agents will be available next season, Evan Mathis for example, who may still have some steam but, again, this group isn’t particularly strong. It would be smart to devote a high draft pick to the guard position.

Sep 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) celebrates his sack against Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) (not pictured)in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Ends

Free Agents: Calais Campbell – Arizona Cardinals, Jason Pierre-Paul – New York Giants, Jabaal Sheard – New England Patriots, Dion Jordan – Miami Dolphins, Chris Baker – Washington Redskins

Draft Prospects: Myles Garrett – Texas A&M, DeMarcus Walker – Florida State, Jonathan Allen – Alabama, Derek Barnett – Tennessee, Daeshon Hall – Texas A&M, Charles Harris – Missouri, Malik McDowell (DE/DT) – Michigan State, Carl Lawson (DE/OLB) – Auburn, Tim Williams (DE/OLB) – Alabama, Davon Godchaux (DE/DT) – LSU

Marquee names and serious depth are found in the defensive end group going into next season. It’s likely the Saints could land a solid free agent while also picking up a dominant pass rusher in the first round of the draft. Should the Saints perform miserably this year they could have a crack at Myles Garrett. Even an average to above average finish could land them someone the quality of DeMarcus Walker or Jonathan Allen.

With no guards likely to go in the first round of the draft, a pass rusher should be the Saints absolute first round priority.

Sep 22, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) with the ball as fullback Mike Tolbert (35) and tackle Byron Bell (77) block in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Tackles

Free Agents: Mike Remmers – Carolina Panthers, Ryan Schraeder – Atlanta Falcons, Byron Bell – Tennessee Titans, Marshall Newhouse – New York Giants, Rick Wagner – Baltimore Ravens, Jordan Mills – Buffalo Bills, Menelick Watson – Oakland Raiders

Draft Prospects: Cam Robinson – Alabama, Mike McGlinchey – Notre Dame, Roderick Johnson – Florida State, Julie’n Davenport – Bucknell

Oddly enough, the tackle position is flipped from the guard position here. There are several excellent young right tackles soon to be available as free agents and there is a considerable lack of depth in the position available in the upcoming draft. The tackles on the free agent list here are all currently playing right tackle, the position the Saints most need to address.

Younger left tackles who could be transitioned to right aren’t even being included since Terron Armstead has the left side of the Saints’ line locked down for the near future.

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Should he not be extended by the Raiders, Menelick Watson is the prize of those potentially available. With the depth available at tackle in free agency, it’s possible the Saints could bring in more than one free agent at the position going into training camp 2017. It doesn’t look like the draft would be particularly useful in addressing concerns here.

Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) drops back as Florida Gators defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard (90) rushes during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

Free Agents: Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins, Case Keenum – Los Angeles Rams, E.J. Manuel – Buffalo Bills, Matt McGloin – Oakland Raiders, Blaine Gabbert – San Francisco 49ers, Mike Glennon – Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nick Foles – Kansas City Chiefs, Geno Smith – New York Jets, Ryan Mallett – Baltimore Ravens, Ryan Nassib – New York Giants, Landry Jones – Pittsburgh Steelers, Kellen Moore – Dallas Cowboys

Draft Prospects: DeShone Kizer – Notre Dame, Deshaun Watson – Clemson, Brad Kaaya – Miami, Chad Kelly – Ole Miss, Davis Webb – Cal, Mitch Leidner – Minnesota, Patrick Mahomes – Texas Tech, Luke Falk – Washington State, Baker Mayfield – Oklahoma, Joshua Dobbs – Tennessee, Taysom Hill – BYU, Seth Russell – Baylor, Brady Gustafson – Montana, Gunner Kiel – Cincinnati, C.J. Beathard – Iowa, Nick Mullens – Southern Mississippi, Thomas Sirk – Duke

Obviously, here, we’re talking about a replacement to be groomed to take over for Brees when he decides it’s time to retire or the Saints feel he’s started his decline. With the way he’s playing now, that may be a while. But this selection would also have to be a capable backup and be willing to play that role for a time. So, likely, the draft is more likely the place to find a signal caller than in free agency. Mike Glennon, Landry Jones, and Ryan Mallett, however, could fill the bill.

Chad Kelly possibly falling to the Saints in the second round is where I would be looking. He seems to be a solid fit for a Sean Payton style offense.

But for now a replacement quarterback is a luxury.

The Black and Gold must address their offensive line issues going into next season and a solid pass rusher needs to be added to the mix. Funny even saying this since it was also the mantra going into last off-season. Hopefully Sean Payton has learned a lesson as the team scrambles to add offensive and defensive line help even this close to the first game of the season.

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