With free agency coming up, it’s time to take stock on some of the top pending free agents from the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints’ front office did a good job of targeting the big names before the 2023 season as Carl Granderson and Cesar Ruiz are taken care of, along with Cameron Jordan, Zach Wood, and some other players they would have had to re-sign this year. Still, there are more players who could either come back or get signed away that would impact the team.
Here are where there market value could stand for those players as the Saints decide who they want to pursue in contract extension talks. All valuations are from Over The Cap, it is hard to know exactly what these players will get next year but here is a possible idea for the top guys:
WR Michael Thomas
Thomas and the Saints have a fractured relationship. At this point it feels like it makes the most sense for both sides to part ways. Thomas has made his mark in New Orleans and will be remembered fondly, but it’s time.
Thomas’ potential value currently sits around $2.75 million. It’s a big drop from his last contract, but that comes with age and multiple injuries. Some players that made similar money on average in 2023 were Mack Hollins, Josh Reynolds and Randall Cobb.
OL Andrus Peat
Peat is a player that the Saints should focus on bringing back. He is the best option currently on the roster for the left tackle position, as Trevor Penning cannot be trusted.
Peat’s potential market value at left tackle is around $4.34 million. It would be a bit of a downgrade in money for Peat, but that makes sense as he’s not a player that would have much desire around him at this point of his career.
QB Jameis Winston
Winston is a great locker room influence and should be brought back. It will be interesting to see how the team moves forward after the Falcons game and his role in not running the play Dennis Allen wanted. He could have a bigger market as a backup that would lead to a team outbidding the Saints, however.
Winston’s potential market value is around $1.62 million. If that is the case, I would say the Saints would probably be able to bring him back.
LB Zack Baun
Baun had a good 2023 campaign that will earn him some money. He helped himself a lot and created a market for himself in free agency. He’s a solid rotational linebacker that will likely be on a new team next season, and systems that will let him rush the passer more often could get a bargain.
Baun’s projected value is around $4.2 million. Some other linebackers that made that much on average in 2023 were Leighton Vander Esch, David Long Jr. and E.J. Speed.
CB Isaac Yiadom
Yiadom had a resurgence with the Saints last season. He stepped up big-time when Lattimore was out and beat expectations coming in off the bench. He should be a priority to bring back for the Saints.
After playing for the minimum last season, his potential market value has risen to around $3.7 million. Other players at that mark were Sean Murphy-Bunting, Levi Wallace and Isaiah Oliver.
DT Malcolm Roach
Roach had a nice season and could see a similar contract to what former Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle last season. Roach posted similar production to Tuttle’s last year in New Orleans, before he was signed away by the Carolina Panthers at $6.5 million per year.
OTC has Roach’s valuation lower at around $1.1 million per year. That would have him making around the same money that he has been for the last couple of years.
