The New Orleans Saints are headed for an offseason full of difficult decisions, and they’ll struggle to address all of their needs even if the 2020 salary cap reaches the high-end estimates of $200 million. Some players will restructure or renegotiate contracts — we previous discussed four big candidates — but others could get released outright.
If the Saints go that route, here are several potential replacements in the 2020 NFL Draft. We’ll be focused on prospects available in rounds two through four, because the Saints will probably be targeting a position of greater need with their first-round selection.
Potential loss: CB Janoris Jenkins
Salary cap savings: $11.25 million
Replacement: A.J. Terrell, Clemson
Terrell hasn’t made a decision yet on whether he’ll declare, but he’s someone the Saints should keep an eye on even if “Jackrabbit” does stick around for 2020. Terrell is an accomplished man-cover corner who can run with anyone, even if Ja’Marr Chase won that matchup in Monday night’s national title game (and it’s not like Terrell was the first cornerback Chase beat this season). There isn’t a team in the NFL that has enough cornerbacks, and the Saints should be mindful of that with so many pending free agents at the position.
Potential loss: G/C Nick Easton
Salary cap savings: $4 million
Replacement: Netane Muti, Fresno State
Muti shares some similarities to standout Saints center Erik McCoy — he moves easily around the field with crisp footwork and sets an aggressive tone, understanding that you don’t have to play passive in pass protection. If he sees an opportunity to put hands on an opponent, he doesn’t hesitate to go for it. He’s also started games at both left tackle and left guard, which is exactly what the Saints need. Medicals will be huge considering his history of Achilles and Lisfranc injuries.
Potential loss: CB Patrick Robinson
Salary cap savings: $3.65 million
Replacement: Levonta Taylor, Florida State
Taylor spent some time at free safety in 2020, but he’s a natural fit defending from the slot, which was Robinson’s main priority last season. Some of that is due to Taylor’s smaller stature (he’s listed at 5-foot-10), but he’s shown a great comprehension of passing concepts and his role within the defense, which is exactly what the Saints need to cut down on coverage breakdowns and panic-in-the-moment penalties.
Potential loss: DL Mario Edwards Jr.
Salary cap savings: $2.765 million
Replacement: Jason Strowbridge, North Carolina
Edwards didn’t play often last season, seeing most of his action in relief of Cameron Jordan (who rarely left the field) or Sheldon Rankins (after his season-ending injury) while averaging just over 20 snaps per game. Strowbridge could be a low-cost replacement the Saints look at through the draft thanks to his similar height-weight profile (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) and usage with the Tar Heels, who lined him up all over the front just like Edwards was tasked with doing in New Orleans.
