Saints Free Agency Recap: Key Moves, Impact, and Draft Implications

The New Orleans Saints have been one of the busiest teams in the early stages of 2025 NFL free agency, making key signings, restructuring contracts, and setting the foundation for their roster heading into next season. While they haven’t made any splashy, headline-grabbing acquisitions, their approach has been strategic, focusing on filling immediate needs while maintaining salary cap flexibility.

As we wrap up the first week of free agency, let’s deeply dive into the Saints’ moves, evaluate how they affect the team’s draft plans, and assign a grade to their approach.

Key Free Agent Signings and Moves

Re-signing Core Players

• DE Chase Young (3-year, $51M, up to $57M) – The Saints prioritized keeping Young in New Orleans after acquiring him midseason. While injuries have limited his production recently, Young still has an elite pass-rushing upside. Keeping him in the fold provides continuity for a defensive line that has seen turnovers.
• TE Juwan Johnson (3-year, $30M+) – A reliable red-zone target and one of the Saints’ best pass-catching tight ends, Johnson gets an extension to solidify his role in Kellen Moore’s new offensive system.
• WR Dante Pettis (1-year deal) – A depth signing, Pettis adds veteran experience to a receiving corps that saw injuries derail its 2024 season.

New Additions

• S Justin Reid (3-year, $31.5M) – A significant addition to the defense, Reid joins Tyrann Mathieu in the secondary and brings leadership and versatility to the defensive backfield.
• CB Isaac Yiadom (3-year deal) – Yiadom adds depth at cornerback, though he’s likely viewed as a rotational player rather than a full-time starter.
• OL Will Clapp (1-year deal) – A familiar face returns, providing depth at center and guard.
• DT Davon Godchaux (Trade from Patriots for 2026 7th-round pick) – A low-cost acquisition, Godchaux bolsters the defensive line rotation.
• WR Velus Jones (Agree to Terms)- Velus Jones was a former third-round pick out of Tennessee, taken by the Chicago Bears in 2022. Jones also served in punt/kick returner roles and had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.

Related: Saints 2025 5-Rd Mock Draft: Will Johnson Taken a 9

Departures

• CB Paulson Adebo (Signed with Giants, 3 years, $54M) – A key loss for the secondary, Adebo’s departure leaves a hole opposite Alontae Taylor.
• DE Payton Turner (Signed with Cowboys, 1-year deal) – A former first-round pick who never quite found his footing in New Orleans, Turner moves on.
• S Will Harris (Signed with Commanders, 2-year deal) – A rotational safety, Harris’ departure isn’t a major blow but reduces secondary depth.
• WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Signed with Seahawks, 1-year deal)- MVS was the Saints’ most reliable option in the passing game once receivers Chris Olave and Rasheed Shahid were lost for the season. There was an attempt to sign free-agent veteran Cooper Kupp, but he joined Valdez-Scantling in Seattle.

Contract Restructures

The Saints continued their annual tradition of restructuring contracts to free up cap space:

• Derek Carr ($30.9M cap relief) – The biggest move, confirming his status as the starter in 2025.
• Demario Davis ($5.6M saved)
• Carl Granderson, Cesar Ruiz, Khalen Saunders, Tyrann Mathieu, and Pete Werner reworked deals to create cap room while keeping core players intact.

How These Moves Impact the Saints’ Draft Strategy

With free agency addressing some needs, the Saints still have plenty of work to do. Their draft approach will likely be shaped by:

1. Cornerback is Now a Top Priority

With Paulson Adebo gone, cornerback has become one of the team’s biggest needs. Even with the addition of Yiadom, the Saints lack a true CB2 opposite Marshon Lattimore. This increases the likelihood that New Orleans targets a top-tier cornerback with the 9th overall pick, such as Michigan’s Will Johnson or Alabama’s Terrion Arnold.

2. Defensive Tackle Reinforcements Still Needed

Trading for Godchaux helps, but the Saints still lack a high-impact interior presence. They could double down on DTs in the draft, possibly using one of their second or third-round picks on a prospect like Michigan’s Kenneth Grant or Kentucky’s Deone Walker.

3. Quarterback is Still a Long-Term Question

While restructuring Derek Carr’s deal locks him in for 2025, the Saints still need to consider the future. Spencer Rattler remains an intriguing developmental option, but don’t rule out the possibility of drafting a QB in the mid-rounds as insurance.

4. Wide Receiver Depth is a Secondary Concern

Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are set to return, but injuries exposed the lack of depth in 2024. The Saints could add a mid-round receiver, particularly one with size to complement their speed threats.

Saints Free Agency Grade: B-

What They Did Well:

✔ Retained key contributors like Chase Young and Juwan Johnson.
✔ Upgraded at safety with Justin Reid.
✔ Created cap flexibility with smart restructures.
✔ Addressed defensive tackle depth with Davon Godchaux.

Concerns:

✘ Losing Paulson Adebo without a clear replacement hurts.
✘ There are no major additions to the offensive line, which is a key area of need.
✘ They haven’t added a true difference-maker in free agency.

The Saints have done a solid job navigating financial constraints while keeping their roster competitive. However, their lack of major splash moves means they’ll need to rely on the draft to fill critical holes—especially at cornerback and on the offensive line.

The Saints’ first week of free agency has been about calculated risks, retaining key players, and maintaining flexibility. While they haven’t made a blockbuster move, they’ve positioned themselves well to attack the draft.

With the 9th overall pick, the Saints are in a prime spot to land a difference-maker. Whether they stay put and take a cornerback, trade down for more picks, or make a surprise move, their draft strategy will ultimately define how successful this offseason is.

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