The New Orleans Saints will be bystanders during Super Bowl LIV, but the title game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers gives them an opportunity to do some advance scouting — both teams are on the Saints’ schedule for 2020. However, it’s also a time for the Saints to get a last look at several veteran players headed for free agency in March, providing possible upgrades for New Orleans. Here are four names we’ll be watching
49ers WR Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders is someone who’s been on New Orleans’ radar for a long time, going back to his first brush with free agency after starting his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sanders’ talents were on full display in this year’s Saints-49ers boat race, in which the crafty route-runner caught 7 of 9 targets for a season-high 157 receiving yards. He’s exactly what the Saints need opposite Michael Thomas. The questions surround whether the 49ers will allow him to test free agency after trading multiple draft picks for him, and how much attention he’ll receive on the free agent market as one of the few proven quantities available.
49ers DL Arik Armstead
Just 26, Armstead would be a great boost to an already-stout Saints defensive line — but he won’t be added so easily. Armstead broke out in 2019 with 10 sacks and 54 total tackles, taking advantage of the extra attention drawn by teammates like DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford, and Nick Bosa. He figures to be one of the highest-paid defensive tackles on the market, and the Saints would only consider signing him if they’re comfortable letting co-starters David Onyemata and Sheldon Rankins leave during this coming signing period and the next, respectively.
Chiefs CB Bashaud Breeland
The Saints will make changes to the cornerback position; they have to, with just three corners under contract right now in Marshon Lattimore, Janoris Jenkins, and Patrick Robinson. Breeland would make sense as a starting-quality option who might be cheaper than high-priced veterans Jenkins and Robinson, but the Saints could struggle to fit all three of them under the salary cap (not to mention Lattimore’s looming big contract extension). It is a little concerning that Breeland is already on his third team in as many years with Kansas City.
Chiefs DL Chris Jones
This is the same situation as Armstead, but moreso: Jones has been one of the NFL’s best defenders in recent years, racking up 24.5 sacks in his last 29 games. He’d be an easy fit in New Orleans at the three-technique spot, which Onyemata is set to vacate in free agency. While Shy Tuttle is natural fill-in for Onyemata while Rankins continues to rehab from another lower-leg injury (in a contract year, no less), Jones would be such a big addition that Tuttle could remain a rotational piece, which might be his best usage right now. But will the Saints break the bank for Jones, or any other high-priced free agents?
