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The NFL’s legal free agency tampering period opens on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. ET, which means teams are able to enter contract negotiations with agents that rep their players set to become free agents. Said free agents are not permitted to sign with teams until the official start of free agency and the league’s new year on Thursday, March 9 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
The New Orleans Saints have plenty of free agents set to hit the market, but most notably the list includes defensive tackle Nick Fairley and cornerback Sterling Moore. Both are expected to test the market, and are likely overshadowed with the Brandin Cooks hoopla going on right now.
Current NFLPA records show the Saints having $27.4 million in salary cap space at their disposal, which is obviously considerable more than what they’ve been accustomed to over the past several offseasons. The Saints are also among one of the highest teams with 63 players currently under contract.
The most pressing needs that could realistically be filled in free agency by the Saints are cornerback and linebacker. However, a Cooks trade and Fairley departure could also focus the team’s attention for a wide receiver and defensive tackle. It’s Christmas in March for the NFL, and things are sure to heat up over the next couple of days.