Open Rants by eizen

The New Orleans Saints have gone 7-9 the past three seasons and four of the past five. This year they showed a lot of promise, but injuries on defense and a few bad games by the offense and special teams derailed their post season hopes. For the first time in years, the team's cap situation won't hold them back in free agency. Here is my blue print on how to the team and Who Dat Nation marching all the way back to the playoffs. 

First we review the team needs (in order):

1. Defensive End

2. Cornerback

3. Guard

4. Linebacker

5. Offensive Tackle

6. Tight End

As with most teams, the Saints could also use more depth at various positions, including a QB for the post-Brees era, wide receiver, and in the secondary.

Cap Room: $32.6 million

Re-Signings:

Nick Fairley- Fairley came on strong and was a force in the middle this season for the Saints, accumulating 6.5 sacks and doing a decent job stopping the run. He just turned 29 and is coming off two consecutive prove-it deals. Ideally, the Saints should sign him to a two year deal in the $5-6 million range.

Fairley should be the only Saints free agent that commands a lot of money. Tim Hightower, Paul Kruger, Kasim Edebali (RFA), and Jahri Evans should all be brought back at team friendly deals. All of them provide solid depth and, in the case of Hightower, Evans, and Kruger, can start if necessary.

Projected Cap Remaining: $22 million

Free Agency:

The Saints should attempt to target at least three of their top four needs in free agency, providing them a lot of flexibility during the draft. An ideal free agency period would look something like this.

Sign Kevin Zeitler OG-5 years $46 million. He'll command top dollar and be the most expensive free agent the Saints sign. That said, he would upgrade the running game and help protect Drew Brees. At 38, Brees needs to be protected as much as possible if the Saints want to keep their window open, and Zeitler can be the guy to help do that. Signing him to a five year deal in the range of $45 million could help this team tremendously. Backup Plan: TJ Lang, Larry Warford.

Sign Zach Brown ILB-3 years $10 million. Brown is coming off a prove-it deal, and he certainly proved himself. He's only 27 and if lined up next to Craig Robertson (the Saints only good LB), he'd help the Saints defense improve both against the pass and the run. He won't come cheap, but he won't break the bank either. Backup Plan: Kevin Minter, Malcolm Smith.

Sign Stephon Gilmore CB-5 years $29 million. Gilmore didn't have his best year in his contract year and should be cheaper because of it. At only 26 though, he still has room to improve. The Saints desperately need help a CB across from Delvin Breaux. They were down to the 6th, 7th, and 8th string corners because of injury at one point, but regardless they could use an upgrade. Backup Plan: Logan Ryan, Dre Kirkpatrick, Morris Claibourne.

Projected Cap Remaining: $5 million

Draft:

Round 1 Pick 11: Derek Barnett DE Tennessee. If the Saints can fill those needs in free agency, they have to go with the best pass rusher available in the first round. Barnett is a beast, setting a new record for career sack at Tennessee and never having single digit sack numbers. The Saints desperately need a consistent rusher opposite Cam Jordan and they may finally find their guy here. 

Round 2 Pick 10: TJ Watt OLB Wisconsin. TJ may not be JJ, but he is a stud defender nonetheless and would greatly help out the Saints as a do it all linebacker who excels at rushing the passer. He can also play some DE on obvious passing plays.

Round 3 Pick 12: Taylor Moton OG/OT Western Michigan. The Saints thought they were adding their RT of the future with Andrus Peat, but he seems better suited to the left side. Regardless of where Peat ends up, Moton has the versatility to play either guard or tackle and would be a great addition to the Saints line. 

Round 4 Pick 11: Chidobe Awuzie CB Colorado. Awuzie has had a solid college career. He isn't much of a ball hawk, but he has show great coverage ability, as well as being able to blitz. The Saints continue to add depth here.

Round 6 Pick 12: Chris Godwin WR Penn State. Godwin would provide the Saints with a better option as their fourth WR. Thomas, Cooks, and Snead are all good-great WRs, but Coleman could be upgraded. Even if the Saints keep Coleman, which is likely, they could still use a fifth WR as they are one injury away from being in a bad spot. 

Round 7 Pick 11: Evan Berry S Tennessee. Berry was mediocre as a back up safety at Tennessee, but he was great as a returner, which happens to be a weakness for the Saints. Perhaps Berry can develop some and become a solid backup safety as well. The Saints ran a lot fo three safety sets last year so depth can't hurt, but his main contribution would be in the return game. 

If the Saints pull off something similar to all of the above and Drew Brees stays healthy, 2017 could be a huge year for them.