New Orleans Saints' Free Agency Needs

As we prepare for the beginning of free agency (which starts Friday at midnight), it's time to take a look at the way the New Orleans Saints should attack the signing period.

Who Should Be Retained?

MLB Jonathan Vilma

Vilma was pretty much the only bright spot for the Saints defense a season ago. He led the team in tackles, and proved when healthy and in the right defensive system, he can flat-out play. There really is nobody in the draft or free agency (and certainly nobody else on the roster) who could play the "Mike" position as well for the Saints as Vilma.

I say reward him with a multi-year deal. I understand it may be difficult to determine his value at this point, which is probably why he hasn't been signed yet, but he is worth whatever he asks.

Priority Level (on a 10-point scale):10

WR Devery Henderson

Henderson is the big-play receiver that really allows Brees and Sean Payton to call some safe plays. Without Henderson, this task would be left to Robert Meachem, who is not quite as fast and seems even more inconsistent.

Still, if the market price goes too high for Henderson, I say let him go. The Saints do have Meachem and Adrian Arrington, who may also be able to pick up the slack in this area.

Priority Level: 7

RT Jon Stinchcomb

The continuity of the New Orleans line in the past three years has been a big reason they've allowed the fewest sacks in that span. Stinchcomb has been very solid on the right side, and perhaps even more consistent than two-time Pro Bowl LT Jamaal Brown.

Then again, backup T Zach Strief, coming into his fourth year out of Northwestern, has done a wonderful job at times when backing up both Brown and Stinchcomb and could easily step into the starting role if Stinchcomb is not re-signed. Similar to Henderson, if the market value exceeds the Saints' budget, he must be let go. If not, re-sign him.

Priority Level: 6

RB Aaron Stecker

When healthy, Stecker is a very reliable special teams player and a good sub-package guy for the Saints offense. He is good at catching the ball out of the backfield and can split out wide in the occasional passing situation.

His value is more in his attitude and ability to be a team player, which is difficult to replace.

Priority Level: 5

After these four, I do not see any other free agents on last season's roster as priority free agents (assuming Lance Moore and Zach Strief are going to stay since they're both restricted).

What Do the Saints Need?

Safety

Roman Harper appears to be a good in-the-box safety, but the Saints need a cover safety. It's a big hole to plug on the Saints' current roster.

Defensive Tackle

While I love Brian Young, the poor guy doesn't seem to be able to stay healthy for a full season. Sedrick Ellis appears to be a guy who will be in his 3-tech position for the next 10-12 years, but there needs to be someone to step in next to him and provide stability at the position.

There are a few young guys on the roster who missed all of last year, but why not open the competition and make guys prove who deserves playing time?

Pass-Rush Specialist

This could come in the form of an end or a linebacker; as long as it gets taken care of, I frankly really don't care.

Part of the reason the Saints gave up so many big plays a year ago was the lack of a consistent pass rush. I think Gregg Williams' blitz scheme will help, but a DE who can rush the passer on his own would help a lot. Charles Grant, Will Smith, and Bobby McCrary all have the capability of being this guy, but all are inconsistent.

Cornerback

Last year was proof you can never have enough of them, as the Saints were down to three healthy corners at the end of the year. Whether through the draft or the free agent market, they just need another body at this position, in case attrition takes place again next year.

Center

While Jonathan Goodwin performed well last year, he is a 10-year veteran and the team needs a long-term solution at the position. This is more likely to be filled through the draft, but it's possible it could be filled through free agency, given the lack of draft picks the Saints possess.

Who the Saints Should Sign

S Jim Leonhard (Baltimore)

The likelihood of Leonhard leaving Baltimore and ending up anywhere other than New York is slight, at best. Still, he is a guy with good ball skills, and while not as quick as Ed Reed, he plays the game in a similar fashion. He also is great with the ball in his hands snd shouldn't cost too much.

Priority Level: 8

Alternatives: Gibril Wilson (Oakland), Jermaine Phillips (Tampa Bay)

Priority Level: 7

CB Jabari Greer (Buffalo), Drayton Florence (Jacksonville), Leigh Bodden (Detroit)

The Saints need to add one more corner, mostly for depth purposes. Jabari Greer started for Buffalo and is a quick, play-making-type corner.

Florence is an average corner who will know most of Gregg Williams' schemes and provide good depth.

Bodden is a very talented player who simply played for a horrible team and in the wrong system.

But most importantly, none of these guys are going to break the bank.

If Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton (and Williams and the DBs coach) don't like any of them, there may be a good corner to be had at No. 14 or further down in the draft.

Priority Level: 7

DT Kedrick Golston, Anthony Montgomery (Washington), or Jovan Haye (Tampa Bay)

This would be assuming the Redskins elect to sign Albert Haynesworth; in that case, they would likely be willing to part with one of these guys. Both would know Williams' schemes and would be an upgrade over the revolving door that is the DT position next to Sedrick Ellis. Both are restricted free agents, so the price to acquire them could be hefty.

Tampa is looking to change their scheme, so re-signing Haye seems to be less of a priority for them. Haye was very productive for the Bucs a season ago and has improved all four of his years in the NFL. He is still young, though, and could be a semi-long-term project at DT.

Priority Level: 6

RB Cedric Benson (Cincinnati) or Fred Taylor (Jacksonville)

While each has questions (with Benson, character; with Taylor, age), both would likely be content to be a five-to-ten carry-per-game player who mostly plays in short-yardage situations. If either were signed, it would be clear that neither is going to be the guy since that will be Pierre Thomas.

But Pierre needs a rest and Reggie Bush is clearly not a short-yardage back. I am concerned whether either of these guys are really tough, short-yardage backs, but they were the best I could find in this summer's pool. There may be better options in the draft.

Priority Level:7

C Eric Ghiaciuc (Cincinnati)

I don't think this is really the best direction to go, since I like some of the centers in this year's draft, but if the Saints decide that they don't, this guy has been an improving player in Cincinnati. Another option, although likely very costly, would be Jeff Saturday (although he is not a long-term solution).

Priority Level: 3

Unfortunately, there do not appear to be any elite pass-rushing defensive ends available in this year's free agency class, meaning the draft may be the only place to find that. Of course, doesn't seem like there's a ton of options there, either.

Priority Level:  1

Overall, I am not a big fan of using signings for big-time needs. Luckily, the Saints are not too far away from a being a good team. They simply need to stay healthy on defense and keep some of the guys they currently have.

I think it is imperative, however, that through either free agency or the draft, they acquire a good cover safety to eliminate all the big pass plays they often give up.

Hopefully, they can also find a way to add one or two draft picks, since that is the best way to build a team.

Note: I will write one of these for the Saints' draft needs, probably at the beginning of April, or at least once we get closer to the Draft. I will also be doing a Free Agency preview for my other favorite team, the San Diego Chargers, relatively soon.