Three offseason moves the Saints should make
New Orleans Saints CB Marshon Lattimore
New Orleans has taken a conservative approach to the offseason after going all-out to get quarterback Derek Carr last offseason.
There’s still time for bold actions, some to plan for the future, others to better position the Saints to snap their three-year postseason drought.
Here are three moves the front office should consider.
Explore a Marshon Lattimore trade
When New Orleans restructured Lattimore’s contract in January, it raised the possibility of the Saints trading him this offseason. Considering what corners have gone for recently, though, the team might be better off keeping the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Last offseason, the Los Angeles Rams traded three-time All-Pro Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins for tight end Hunter Long and a 2023 third-round pick. Then, in March, the Chiefs traded two-time Super Bowl champ L’Jarius Sneed for a 2025 third-round pick while also swapping 2024 seventh-rounders with the Tennessee Titans.
Lattimore has battled injuries the past two seasons but is still one of the top corners in the game. He should be worth more to New Orleans than a future third-round pick, but if a 2024 contender gets aggressive as we approach the regular season, the Saints might feel inclined to unload Lattimore’s contract for a better draft pick. Per Over The Cap, New Orleans – which is an estimated $72.9 million over the cap for the 2025 season – could save $20 million against that year’s cap by trading Lattimore post-June 1.
His situation is also worth paying attention to considering the Saints’ depth at cornerback. The team selected Kool-Aid McKinstry with its second-round pick and also has Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor, players who have stepped into big roles the past two seasons.
Fortify the offensive line
Despite adding tackle Taliese Fuaga in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Saints need further fortifications up front to feel good about their chances to contend in the NFC South in 2024. The offensive line has held the Saints back over the past few seasons as much as inconsistent quarterback play, both with its inability to create lanes for running back Alvin Kamara and spotty protection. According to data from ESPN, New Orleans ranked 15th in run-block win-rate and 28th in pass-block win-rate last season. The Saints could target a lineman such as Dalton Risner, the No. 100 overall free agent in the 2024 class according to NFL.com.
Extend linebacker Pete Werner
Werner has fit seamlessly next to Demario Davis in the Saints defense, but the former Ohio State Buckeye is potentially entering his final season in New Orleans. A 2020 second-round pick, Werner is due to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025, something New Orleans could avoid by agreeing to extension. Davis had a career-high 93 tackles last season as he played 88% of the team’s defensive snaps. The Saints added Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford in the draft, which could ease the pain of seeing Werner walk after the season. But with Davis, 35, only getting older and Willie Gay on a one-year deal, it would benefit New Orleans to hold onto Werner at all costs.
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