How Marques Colston Re-Signing Affects Rest of Saints Free Agency Strategy

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the New Orleans Saints have re-signed wide receiver Marques Colston.

To that end, how does this affect the Saints in free agency? Well, New Orleans isn't in the best of positions regarding salary cap space, but it's not horrible either. However, don't expect too much noise by comparison to other franchises.

Still, let's take a look at some of their notable free agents and then what's potentially fitting from the market.

Carl Nicks

If there's one player New Orleans must figure out how to re-sign, it's Carl Nicks. A two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection the past two seasons, Nicks is arguably the NFL's best and most complete offensive lineman right now.

Quarterback Drew Brees was only sacked 24 times during the regular season. That's an average of only 1.5 sacks per game. Not to mention the Saints offense ranked No. 6 in rushing as they averaged 133 yards on the ground.

That said, Nicks may still end up a free agent. According to Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Nicks did receive an offer:

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Free agent guard Carl Nicks confirmed Monday night that he finally received a contract offer from the New Orleans Saints on Monday. He deemed it "respectable" but had not decided whether to accept it.

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Let's put it this way; Brees may be the NFL record-holder for most passing yards in a season, but similar production won't happen without pass protection.

Robert Meachem and Tracy Porter

These two are going together, because with the need to retain Carl Nicks, the Saints would likely have to part ways with both Meachem and Porter. And, in an article by Pat Yasinskas of ESPN, this is quite possible:

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I’m thinking Porter and Meachem will walk. The Saints likely will use whatever salary-cap room they can scrape up to try to keep Nicks and Colston.

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After the previously mentioned news about Colston from Jay Glazer and Nicks from Mike Triplett, Yasinskas stands correct.

Plus, as great a quarterback as Brees has proven to be, making new receiving targets around him better will be a cinch. We also can't forget about tight end Jimmy Graham.

Defensively is where New Orleans will need to attack free agency.

Aaron Ross

Because of their limited cap space, the Saints aren't going to be able to acquire a big name defender. However, there's still reliable talent that, if given an opportunity, can develop into a big time performer.

One guy that New Orleans should really go after is Giants' corner Aaron Ross. With Terrell Thomas re-signing, and other corners such as Corey Webster and Prince Amukamara, Ross will likely want out.

And, according to Evan Silva of NBC Sports, this is possible. Last season, Ross recorded four picks, made 60 tackles, defended 12 passes and played in all 16 games. In the postseason, Ross added 11 tackles and three defended passes.

He was also a rookie in 2007 when the Giants first upset New England in Super Bowl XLII. There, Ross played in 15 games, picking off three passes, making 42 tackles and defending nine passes.

That postseason, Ross made 12 tackles; so it's obvious he has the experience and success to be great in The Big Easy.

John Rozum on Twitter.