The New Orleans Saints are going to be on the hunt for upgrades when NFL free agency begins in just a few weeks, searching all throughout the league for players who can help them remain in Super Bowl contention. That means evaluating every possible addition — including players from the conference-rival Minnesota Vikings, who have dealt the Saints painful playoffs exits in two of the last three years. Here’s who may be available:
- CB Trae Waynes
- CB Mackensie Alexander
- CB Marcus Sherels
- DE Everson Griffen
- DE Stephen Weatherly
- FB C.J. Ham (RFA)
- K Dan Bailey
- LB Kentrell Brothers
- LB Eric Wilson (RFA)
- OC Brett Jones
- OG Rashod Hill
- OT Dakota Dozier
- P Britton Colquitt
- QB Sean Mannion
- RB Ameer Abdullah
- SS Jayron Kearse
- SS Anthony Harris
- SS Andrew Sendejo
- WR Laquon Treadwell
The number-one target on this list should be Ham, which is difficult because he’s a restricted free agent. Hypothetically speaking, the Vikings can match any contract offers Ham receives, or even ward off suitors with a second- or first-round tender. But if they go with the lowest level option (Minnesota is, for once, working close to the salary cap), the Saints should be all in on Ham. He was one of two fullbacks to play more often than Zach Line (who retired) last year, along with San Francisco 49ers chess-piece Kyle Jusczyk. Line was also once a Vikings standout before the Saints bagged him, and they would do well to pursue Ham if he’s available.
He’s not someone they should sign, but the Saints should closely monitor the interest and contract offers that Anthony Harris gets in free agency. He was one of the few free safeties to intercept more passes (6) than Marcus Williams (4) last season and is projected to earn $13.8 million per year on his next contract. That should set the market for Williams, whose contract expires after the 2020 season.
But let’s circle back to players the Saints should have an interest in signing. They need bodies at cornerback, and both Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander offer starter’s experience at an easier-to-justify rates than Patrick Robinson’s $6.25 million cap hit. Alexander and Waynes are each projected to reel in $8.4 million per year, which could make them attractive options if Robinson is cut (or if negotiations fall apart with Janoris Jenkins over his $11.25 million cap hit, despite him clearly being the best prospect of the bunch).
