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According to ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano, the New Orleans Saints could have free agent linebacker Manti Te’o signed by Tuesday. Per his report, a deal is close between the two.
I am told by a source that free-agent LB Mantei Te'o is close to a deal with the Saints, could sign Tuesday. https://t.co/AzZqvNTpCi
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) March 20, 2017
Te’o originally was brought in for a visit on the first day of free agency on March 9, but left without a deal. The former second-round pick from the 2013 draft has familiarity with new linebackers coach Mike Nolan from his brief one-year stint in San Diego, and is coming off a torn Achilles’ injury from 2016.
The Saints also brought in A.J. Klein through free agency, and it would likely appear that Te’o would have to earn a spot on the roster for 2017. A low-risk deal would be a great way for the team to go here. Either way, the Saints should still look to the draft for options to field their best squad for the new season.