METAIRIE, La. -- NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2022 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began Wednesday, which means free-agent signings started to become official after that. The first round of the 2022 NFL draft begins April 28 on ESPN.
The New Orleans Saints are aiming for quality instead of quantity in free agency, since they began the offseason about $75 million over the salary cap – and because the quarterback position was their No. 1 priority.
They were among the leading contenders to land Deshaun Watson in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans before he ultimately chose the Cleveland Browns, but they since have re-signed quarterback Jameis Winston. Now, they’ll continue to pick their spots and look for value – like letting coveted long-time starting free safety Marcus Williams get away in free agency while replacing him with Marcus Maye at a lower cost.
Regardless, the Saints have made it clear that they don’t plan to rebuild under new coach Dennis Allen.
Here's a breakdown of every 2022 NFL free-agent signing by the Saints, and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Jameis Winston, QB
The Saints will run it back with Winston, after all, as the two sides agreed to a two-year deal with a base value of $28 million, including $21 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
What it means: Obviously this feels a bit like a “Plan B” fallback option after New Orleans’ high-profile courtship of Watson. But the Saints have always insisted they were comfortable with the idea of bringing back Winston to be their starter, who went 5-2 as their starter last year before tearing the ACL in his left knee in Week 8. And they didn’t want to wait until the draft to fill the vital QB position since they don’t pick until 18th and still believe their roster is built to make a playoff run. No other quarterback in this year’s market offered a better combination of potential upside and affordable price tag for a Saints team with significant salary-cap constraints.
What's the risk: Obviously there is some injury risk, though all indications suggest Winston is on track in his recovery. And obviously Winston’s ability to be a successful franchise quarterback has been highly scrutinized in recent years since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to move on from him in 2020. However, Winston proved he could overcome the turnover issues that plagued him in Tampa by throwing 14 touchdown passes with just three interceptions last year. He wasn’t perfect (averaging 186 passing yards in six complete games and completing just 59% of his passes). But he had a career-best passer rating of 102.8 and flashed his big-play ability with four completions of 49-plus yards.
Marcus Maye, S
The Saints and Maye agreed to a three-year deal worth $28.5 million, with $15 million guaranteed, a source confirmed to ESPN. New Orleans made quick work replacing Williams, who agreed to a deal with the Baltimore Ravens earlier on Tuesday.
What it means: It’s pretty obvious where Maye plugs into the Saints’ defense since they agreed to a deal with the veteran starter just a few hours after they lost Williams. In fact, Maye was actually picked just three spots ahead of Williams in the second round of the 2017 draft. Maye comes with some drawbacks (he tore his Achilles last November and could be facing a disciplinary suspension from the NFL for a DUI arrest last February). However, the 6-foot, 207-pounder has been a high-level starter through much of his career and cost significantly less than Williams.
What's the risk: There is the obvious health risk -- though there is optimism Maye could be ready in time for training camp. And there is the potential suspension – though Maye’s fit in the locker room is expected to be a plus. He was voted the Jets’ team MVP by teammates in 2020. The biggest risk is probably just the unknown of how much Williams meant as the safety net in the back of New Orleans’ stellar defense over the past five years. They’ll find out if he is indeed replaceable.
Andy Dalton, QB
The Saints signed Dalton to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, including $3 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He should back up starter Jameis Winston, who signed a two-year deal worth $28 million plus incentives last week.
What it means: Now we see why the Saints were willing to let veteran backup Trevor Siemian leave in free agency. Dalton, 34, should be an upgrade in the backup spot after going 77-69-2 as a starter throughout his 11-year career. And this frees up the Saints to focus on Taysom Hill primarily as a tight end – which coach Dennis Allen confirmed they plan to do. There shouldn’t be any sort of QB controversy or open competition between Winston and Dalton based on the size of their contracts, and the comments Winston made about being happy there is “no question of whether or not I’m gonna be leading this team.” However, if Winston ever does have to miss time, the offense would still be in good hands.
What's the risk: Not much considering Dalton didn’t cost too much for a Saints team that has significant salary-cap constraints. The only other risk is that when you have a backup as qualified as Dalton, it could invite questions about making a change if Winston ever struggles. But having multiple proven options at the position is one of those “good problems to have.” And the Saints have made a strong enough commitment to Winston that he shouldn’t have to be looking over his shoulder.
P.J. Williams, S
Williams will be back for his eighth year with the Saints after agreeing to a one-year deal, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
What it means: Williams could wind up starting at free safety after the Saints lost starter Williams and starter Malcolm Jenkins to retirement. (They also still have essential nickel safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.) But even if the Saints add another high-level safety in free agency or the draft, Williams will still play a valuable role because of his versatility and experience. The 6-foot, 196-pounder has started 29 games over the past five seasons with eight interceptions, two touchdown returns and three forced fumbles.
What's the risk: None. Williams has been the ultimate utility man for the Saints' defense in recent years while shifting jobs from cornerback to nickel back to dime back and free safety. He can fill in wherever needed and always winds up playing at least half of the team’s defensive snaps.
Tre'Quan Smith, WR
The Saints and Smith agreed to a two-year deal worth $6 million plus incentives, including $3 million in guarantees to keep him in New Orleans, according to a source.
What it means: Smith’s career has been repeatedly derailed by a series of minor injuries, so he has never fully lived up to his potential since being drafted in the third round in 2018. But the Saints have always valued him for both his big-play ability (19 career touchdowns, including the playoffs). The 6-2, 210-pounder has developed into a very good blocker and has learned all of the receiver positions. So it makes sense for New Orleans to bring him back on an affordable deal to provide depth and possibly still that long-awaited breakthrough year.
What's the risk: Not much at this price. But it’s still imperative that the Saints add at least one more premier pass catcher through free agency or the draft after finishing 32nd in the NFL in passing yards in 2021. Getting Winston and receiver Michael Thomas will help enormously. And along Smith, receivers Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harty (formerly Deonte Harris) should all earn a place in the receiver rotation. But the Saints could still use one more reliable veteran or a dynamic talent in the first round of the draft – if not both.
Dwayne Washington, RB
The Saints announced that they re-signed Washington, a backup running back and core special teams player, to a one-year deal. Terms were not immediately available.
What it means: Washington, who turns 28 next week, has been a valued special teams player since he first arrived with the Saints in 2018. He is seldom used on offense, but he has the experience to fill in at running back when needed to. The 6-1, 223-pounder, who began his career with the Detroit Lions, has 554 career rushing yards. And he ran for 108 yards on just 11 carries while the Saints were resting their starters during the final regular season game in 2018.
What's the risk: None, assuming the price is minimal. Running back could still be a draft priority for New Orleans, since veteran backup Mark Ingram II is 32 years old and heading into the final year of his contract (not to mention the fact that starter Alvin Kamara could face a potential suspension this year). But re-signing Washington won’t affect any of the Saints’ draft plans. This move was about keeping the special teams units stocked.
Forrest Lamp, G
The Saints are re-signing the veteran backup to a one-year deal, per source.
What it means: If healthy, the Saints are set with starters Erik McCoy, Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz at the center and guard spots. But the 28-year-old Lamp could compete with Calvin Throckmorton and others for a backup job. A second-round draft pick in 2017, Lamp started a total of 18 games for the Chargers, including all 16 games in 2020. He joined the Saints’ practice squad last October and was active for one game.
What's the risk: None, assuming the price is minimal. Lamp battled injuries early in his career, including a torn ACL in his rookie preseason. But if healthy, the 6-4, 310-pounder gives them an option with both experience and upside.
Daniel Sorensen, S
The Saints signed Sorensen to a one-year deal after he spent his first eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs as a part-time starter and core special teams player.
What it means: The 32-year-old will definitely contribute on special teams, where he has been a big asset for much of his career. But it’s unclear if he will play a primary role on defense or rotate into dime packages. They signed Maye and re-signed Williams, and they still have Gardner-Johnson entrenched in the lineup. But there is some uncertainty surrounding starter Malcolm Jenkins’ plans after he lowered his salary to the league minimum. And valued backup dime safety P.J. Williams remains an unsigned free agent. Sorensen has 39 career regular-season starts at multiple safety positions, including 18 over the last two years, plus another 10 playoff starts.
What’s the risk: Not much, assuming the salary is minimal and Sorensen is not projected to be an every-down starter. He struggled early last season in Kansas City and lost his starting job. But his play improved down the stretch in a rotational role. He has had a knack for making big plays throughout his career with 13 interceptions, including the playoffs — four of which he returned for touchdowns — plus six forced fumbles and a blocked field goal.
Kentavius Street, DE
The terms of the deal have yet to be released.
What it means: A depth signing for the Saints, who have mostly been in a holding pattern during free agency while awaiting Watson’s decision. Street (6-foot-2, 287 pounds) has appeared in 32 games over the past two years with four starts after he missed his rookie season with a torn ACL in 2018 and played sparingly in 2019. He has been more effective as a pass rusher than run stuffer, with a career-high three sacks last season. But he has the versatility to play both inside and outside, while also playing special teams. He should be a rotational piece on a Saints defense that likes to rotate players in a four-man front.
What's the risk: Not much, assuming the price tag is low. Street still has untapped potential after his career was delayed when he tore his ACL during his 2018 pro day at N.C. State and fell to the fourth round of the draft. And few should know his potential better than Saints defensive line coach/co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen – who coached Street in college. One other, more notorious, Saints connection: Street was the player who hit Drew Brees in 2020 when Brees suffered a collapsed lung and fractured ribs.
Jaleel Johnson, DT
The Saints agreed to a one-year deal with Johnson, who provides an experienced option in the rotation, a source confirmed.
What it means: Johnson will have to earn a role in the Saints’ defensive line rotation, which also got more crowded this offseason with the signing of Street. But they value depth at DT, where they always do a ton of rotating. And there’s obviously something they like about the 6-3, 316-pounder. The Saints also signed Johnson to their practice squad last September after he was cut by the Houston Texans — but the Texans signed him back to their active roster a week later because of an injury need.
What's the risk: Not much, assuming the cost is minimal. Johnson has started only 20 games in five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and Texans after being drafted in the fourth round out of Iowa in 2017. But he had a career-high 3.5 sacks in 2019 and started all 16 games in 2020 for the Vikings. And he has the versatility to be useful against both the run and pass.
Justin Evans, S
The Saints agreed to a one-year deal with the former second-round draft pick, who has not played since 2018 because of toe and Achilles injuries.
What it means: It’s hard to say, since Evans has missed so much time. But there is definitely room for the 26-year-old to earn a role with so many moving parts at the safety position this offseason. (The Saints lost starter Marcus Williams in free agency, lost starter Malcolm Jenkins to retirement, added veterans Marcus Maye and Daniel Sorensen, and re-signed veteran P.J. Williams). Evans’ career got off to a promising start when he started 21 games over his first two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, intercepting four passes and returning a fumble for a touchdown against none other than New Orleans.
What's the risk: Obviously there is an injury risk, since Evans spent 2019 on injured reserve, 2020 on the PUP list and 2021 out of football. But the signing itself is low risk with upside if he can get his career back on track. Plus, he’s a former Texas A&M safety – just like his new head coach, Dennis Allen.
Taco Charlton, DE
The Saints added more defensive line depth by signing the former first-round draft pick. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
What it means: This is starting to sound like a broken record after the Saints previously signed free-agent tackles Kentavius Street and Jaleel Johnson. But Charlton, 27, gives them another experienced veteran to provide depth at a position where they like to do a ton of rotating. And the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder has the size and length the Saints have always coveted. He’ll join a defensive end mix that includes projected starters Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport, second-year pro Payton Turner, and veterans Tanoh Kpassagnon and Carl Granderson among others – many of whom have the flexibility to move inside on passing downs.
What's the risk: None, assuming the contract is minimal. Charlton never quite lived up to his potential after being drafted with the 28th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. But he has carved out a solid five-year career with the Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers with 55 games played, 13 starts, 11.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
J.P. Holtz, TE
The Saints signed the 28-year-old, who primarily served as a special teams asset for the Chicago Bears over the past three years. Terms were not immediately available.
What it means: Holtz will likely be used on special teams -- where he played almost exclusively in Chicago. The 6-foot-3, 246-pounder played sparingly on offense for the Bears at both tight end and fullback. Holtz finally found a home in Chicago from 2019-2021 after going undrafted in 2016 and spending his first three years on the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders practice squads. He caught seven passes for 91 yards in 2019 but didn’t have any catches or carries the past two years.
What's the risk: None, since this will be a low-cost signing. Holtz could play a role similar to the one that longtime Saints tight end/special teamer Garrett Griffin played before joining the Detroit Lions this offseason.