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Manti Te’o close to deal with the New Orleans Saints, report says

ESPN’s Dan Graziano is reporting that the Saints and linebacker Manti Te’o are close to a deal.

San Diego Chargers v Kansas City Chiefs Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

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.

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.