By Jeff Duncan | NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
Center Nick Easton
When Max Unger announced his retirement over the weekend, the Saints didn't wait long to find his replacement, signing the former Minnesota Viking one day later. By most accounts, Easton was the third-rated center on the market behind Matt Paradis and Mitch Moore. He was weighing offers from the Vikings and another undisclosed team so the Saints were forced to slightly overpay to secure his services. The details of his four-year, $24 million deal haven't been reported yet, but the Saints had little leverage in the wake of Unger's retirement and had to act fast. At 26, Easton is still young and has room to grow and develop. He missed the 2018 season because of a neck injury but doctors have cleared him to return to play. Obviously, the Saints must have felt confident about E,aston's health before extending him the offer. Easton is an excellent athlete and solid pass blocker but is not known as a dominant run blocker. He's no Max Unger, but considering the slim pickings available on the free agent market he was the best available option for the price, and the Saints get a young starter at a critical spot in the line at an affordable cost.
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