Who is the top free agent target for the Saints?

By: Jake Rajala

The New Orleans Saints recently brought back wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith, according to NBC Sports. After the Saints failed to acquire Deshaun Watson, the Saints also have re-signed Jameis Winston and signed Daniel Sorenson.

I still *really* expect the Saints to be aggressive in free agency this offseason. The Saints clearly showed that they are pedal to the metal with their push for Watson, I’d expect them to strongly push in their “Super Bowl window” for more talent. With that said, here are a few profiles that Dennis Allen could demand.

Emmanuel Sanders

The 2021 Buffalo Bills WR Emmanual Sanders has familiarity with the Saints, talent at age 35, and he could be the starting slot WR for the Saints in 2022. Sanders registered 626 and a career-high 14.9 yards YPC in 2021 after hauling 726 yards in 2020 with the Saints. It is also impossible to imagine the Saints will sign Jarvis Landry, who is seeking a $20 million per year contract. Sanders would ultimately be an affordable, smart fit.

Ndamukong Suh

I’d love to see Loomis give the golden ticket to Ndamukong Suh. The former Buccaneers DL can play anywhere on the DL, be a threat against the run and pass, and be a true iron-man defender for the Saints defense (0 missed games since 2011). It would also be poetic if he switched to another NFC South team with a cream of the crop run defense. I’d want the Saints to overpay for Suh more than any other free agent before the draft.

Blaine Gabbert

The Saints need to add a backup quarterback that has some starting experience. It’s clear that Allen wasn’t a fan of Taysom Hill’s performance against the Bucs last season and the Saints have stated that the Hill experiment at QB is dead. The Saints also witnessed their 2021 backup QB Trevor Sieman leave in free agency to the Chicago Bears. Gabbert has arm talent, modest youth (32 years old), and knowledge of the Bucs playbook.