FA Free Agency is About to Start (1 Viewer)

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For those like me that don't keep track of who is going to be a free agent this year, below is an article from an NFL.com writer with his list of top 101 free agents that is likely a good starting point. Looks like some good options on the OL, DE, and LB. Interesting to see if the Saints will look to fill all holes on OL and DE in free agency or if they concentrate on one in free agency and get the other in the draft.

https://www.nfl.com/news/top-101-nf...by-position-which-spots-have-most-least-depth

There is also a lot of talent available at RB, but I don't see the Saints signing a free agent RB unless they decide to cut Williams, which seems unlikely due to the cap hit.

Also interesting that they rank Winston as the #6 QB available, Michael Thomas as the #9 WR available, and Andrus Pete as the #7 Tackle available.

They list Marcus Davenport as the #10 Edge Rusher available.
 
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Rouxble said:
Another reason Williams may stick around—his $3.2m salary is guaranteed.
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I know I will catch some heat for this, but Williams is probably my least favorite player on the team right now. I just don't see anything in him. Lacks burst, lacks long range speed, lacks vision, goes down easily...just everything you don't want in a running back.

Hopefully with the new running game and run blocking scheme, he can improve, but what we saw last year from him was just downright pathetic.

williams030624.png

...one of the worst stat lines I have ever seen from a NFL running back, and we basically had to cheat for him to get the one TD.
 
Rouxble said:
Another reason Williams may stick around—his $3.2m salary is guaranteed.
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Saints probably wouldn’t be big players for the Henry, Jacobs, Pollard, Barkley and Ekeler group even if Williams’ salary wasn’t guaranteed. RB market isn’t high pay anymore. But I don’t see any of those guys signing for Williams’ salary range either. Spending money on a bigger name FA RB probably isn’t an option this offseason after investing into Miller and Williams.
 
SonOfNOLA said:
Saints probably wouldn’t be big players for the Henry, Jacobs, Pollard, Barkley and Ekeler group even if Williams’ salary wasn’t guaranteed. RB market isn’t high pay anymore. But I don’t see any of those guys signing for Williams’ salary range either. Spending money on a popular FA RB probably isn’t an option this offseason after investing into Miller and Williams.
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I'd rather look for a RB in the 5th or 6th than spend money on one in free agency. I get what they were trying to do with Williams last year, but it seemed an odd fit when they usually use Taysom Hill on short yardage and near the goal line, but relatively expensive RB depth in free agency never seems to be a good idea when there are so many RBs available late in the draft and UDFA. There might still be some value especially in guys that are more third down and specials teams types this year in the draft. And with RBs, guys often break out that played on bad teams or on teams with RB by committee or deep depth charts like Kamara was.
 
St. Geezy said:
I know I will catch some heat for this, but Williams is probably my least favorite player on the team right now. I just don't see anything in him. Lacks burst, lacks long range speed, lacks vision, goes down easily...just everything you don't want in a running back.

Hopefully with the new running game and run blocking scheme, he can improve, but what we saw last year from him was just downright pathetic.

williams030624.png

...one of the worst stat lines I have ever seen from a NFL running back, and we basically had to cheat for him to get the one TD.
Click to expand...

He's a one dimensional north/south runner who got stuck behind an extremely inconsistent and honestly bad offensive line.

Alvin Kamara, a far superior running back, had just 3.7ypc in 2021, 4.0 in 2022, and 3.9 in 2023. His 3.86ypc average over the last three years is more than a full yard less than his 5.1ypc average his first four years in the league. His career ypc average has actually dipped lower than Mark Ingram's, who retired with 4.46ypc. Kamara currently sits at 4.43ypc.
 
St. Widge said:
I'd rather look for a RB in the 5th or 6th than spend money on one in free agency. I get what they were trying to do with Williams last year, but it seemed an odd fit when they usually use Taysom Hill on short yardage and near the goal line, but relatively expensive RB depth in free agency never seems to be a good idea when there are so many RBs available late in the draft and UDFA. There might still be some value especially in guys that are more third down and specials teams types this year in the draft. And with RBs, guys often break out that played on bad teams or on teams with RB by committee or deep depth charts like Kamara was.
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I think at the time of Williams’ signing, the Saints had a vision for Williams to replicate some of his Lions rushing success and provide great depth. But the OC didn’t commit to running the ball with our RBs early on by scheming creative run designs and good run blocking. Taysom was the default short yardage/GL rusher partially because the RBs didn’t seem prioritized in the offense. His rushing style is limited but he’s great when run blocking is up to par. I think Williams will bounce back nicely with a run-oriented OC like Kubiak who has consistent success with RBs running the ball.

I hope we target Frank Gore Jr. and Isaac Guerendo in the later rounds as well. Guerendo had the fastest RB 40 time (4.33) and 4th best cone drill at the combine. He could add that speed element that we’ve been missing amongst our RBs for about a decade. Guerendo had a great combine but didn’t get a ton of carries at Louisville. He could still be under the radar enough to be available in the 5th rd.
 
Sorry it took so long to get back. O-Line is an area where we need to upgrade. Peat may leave in free agency, Hurst is a weak link at Guard and we don't know if Ram can make it through another season. Here's some FA O-Lineman that the Saints might take a look at and what it would cost

Jonah Williams- RT, Bengals (6'5"/312#) (Age- 26)
Calculated Market Value- 4-Year $43.4M Annual Salary- $10,859,511. Base Calculated Value- 5-Year $78.3M Annual Salary- $15.7M.

Yosh Nijman- OT, Packers (6'7"/315#) (Age- 27)
Current Deal- 1-Year $4.3M Deal expires next week.

Oli Udoh- OT, Vikings (6'6"/330#) (Age- 27)
Current Deal- 1-Year $2.4M Deal expires next week. Another O-Lineman that could come cheap.

Isaiah Wynn- OT, Dolphins (6'2"/310#) (Age- 28)
Current Deal- 1-Year Deal $2.4M Deal expires next week.

Jremaine Eluemunor- RT, Raiders (6'4"/330#) (Age- 30)
Current Deal- 1-Year Deal $3.0M Deal expires next week.

Matt Pryor- T/G, 49'ers (6'7"/332#) (Age- 30)
Current Deal- 1-Year 1.13M Deal expires next week.

These are just a few of the OT's that will hit the FA market next week. Jonah Williams is the prized OT in that group. This is a position the Saints need to upgrade at backup for in case Ram doesn't make it through the season. I'll be back with a list of Guards a little later.
 
BreesusSaves said:
He's a one dimensional north/south runner who got stuck behind an extremely inconsistent and honestly bad offensive line.

Alvin Kamara, a far superior running back, had just 3.7ypc in 2021, 4.0 in 2022, and 3.9 in 2023. His 3.86ypc average over the last three years is more than a full yard less than his 5.1ypc average his first four years in the league. His career ypc average has actually dipped lower than Mark Ingram's, who retired with 4.46ypc. Kamara currently sits at 4.43ypc.
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Lesson from all that — our o-line has regressed mightily the past three seasons and continues to be the top area of need on the team.
 
Trey W. said:
Uh, I’m pretty sure that number can not be correct. That’s almost half the entire years salary cap!
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That's why it's a poison pill. They are never going to pay that and it forces them to either cut him or negotiate a new contract by that date.
 

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