Two New Orleans Saints Free Agent Targets Named Among Best Bargains in Free Agency

With the New Orleans Saints having holes to fill at numerous positions during this offseason, it’s hard not to look at available players and try to find matches. It’s known that the Saints would like to address Guard, Defensive End, Linebacker, Cornerback, Kick Returner, Back-Up Running Back, and possibly Tight End and Safety. Tons of names have been thrown out as potential fits for the Saints, including Chargers LB Melvin Ingram, Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul, and others. Interestingly enough, two names that are continuously associated with the Saints among their fans have been ranked as some of the best free agent bargains this offseason.

Fox Sports ranked the Top 9 best bargains available this offseason. Rounding off the list at #9 is a player that would help address the Special Teams problem that plagued the Saints in 2016, Cordarrelle Patterson.

Patterson has been a disappointement [sic] in the NFL up to this point. He hasn’t carved out a consistent role in Minnesota and is more of a gadget player than he is a true wide receiver. That’s OK. Because of his struggles thus far, his cost will be lower than it probably should be. Someone like the Patriots or Colts can figure out a way to utilize his skill set to suit their offense best, while also benefiting from his ability to return kicks. Heck, he could be converted to full-time running back and thrive in that role. He just needs the right team to take a chance on him.

Next on the list was another player commonly associated with the Saints dating back to the 2016 offseason, former Dallas Cowboys Guard Ronald Leary.

Leary was viewed as a backup guard before this season. When La’el Collins went down with an injury, though, Leary stepped in and proved to be every bit a starter in the NFL. Though he won’t be “cheap,” per se, he also won’t break the bank the way Kevin Zeitler and T.J. Lang will. As a full-time starting guard, he’ll be a reliable pass blocker and a solid blocker in the running game. He just needs an opportunity. A team like the Jaguars would benefit from adding Leary to its line.

Of note, of the remaining seven players on Fox Sports’ list, five of them would also be potential fits in New Orleans: Texans LB John Simon, Colts TE Jack Doyle, Patriots S Duron Harmon, Broncos CB Kayvon Webster, and Packers DB Micah Hyde.