As the 2016 season for the New Orleans Saints ends much like the last three has and gives them plenty of time to get a gameplan together when it comes to the offseason.
The biggest thing that the Saints will have in free agency is more wiggle room. The amount of dead money they have is significantly less and the cap space is a lot better than what it has been in the last couple of years. Despite their improvements this season, there are still issues on this team that needs to be addressed. So here’s what the Saints will need to do in free agency to help improve this team.
Fix the Right Side of the Offensive Line
The offensive line has been taking steps toward getting better. Andrus Peat is looking slightly better, Terron Armstead is still performing at a good level when he’s actually healthy, and Max Unger is becoming the glue this offensive line has needed. However, the right side of the line is the weak spot with Zach Strief performing poorly at his position. If there’s one spot that needs to be fixed, it has to be the right tackle. Not only would it help out at that position, it would benefit Andrus Peat because they could have him solely focus on being a right guard where he has performed well in the past.
Linebacker Is a Big Need Due to Underperformance
The position of linebacker looked to be poised for greatness after last season with Hau’oli Kikaha and Stephone Anthony. However, an injury to Kikaha and Anthony having a difficult time transitioning over to the Sam linebacker position caused that whole position to take a nosedive. Nate Stupar and Craig Robertson were able to turn things around, especially after the departure of James Laurinitis, but they aren’t the answer to the problem. You won’t need a splash free agency signing; it will be a good player to help add depth to this position in case injuries wind up affecting the position again.
Improve Secondary
If there was one position that injury bug hit the most, it was the cornerbacks. It was so bad that they wound up picking up relative unknowns like B.W. Webb and others to fill the roles of solid corners like Delvin Breaux. This is much like the linebacker position. It’s obvious that under Dennis Allen’s system that any cornerback can adjust to it without any real issue. So you’re looking for someone who can be serviceable under your position to help add depth.
-Clint Domingue