It’s always tough to watch other teams compete in the playoffs while the New Orleans Saints are stuck watching from the couch, but these postseason games are a great opportunity to get a preview on the upcoming class of free agents. And the Saints are always creative in working around the salary cap to ensure they’ll sign some players in the spring.
With that in mind, here are some pending free agents we’d like to see in New Orleans, who are hitting the field in Sunday night’s game between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams:
Lions LG Jonah Jackson
James Hurst was a weak link for the Saints at left guard, so signing a player like Jackson in free agency could turn that into a strength. Jackson is at his best blocking on the run though he sometimes struggles to get hands on opponents out in space. He can also be beaten in pass protection. Still, he’s a good player and should be in demand when free agency kicks off in March.
Rams WR Demarcus Robinson
Robinson has been an effective role player for the Rams this year, converting a first down on 20 of his 26 catches while running routes from the slot at the heaviest rate of his career. He was solid in the Kansas City Chiefs’ receiving corps for the first six years of his career and posted a respectable 48 catches for 458 yards last season with the Baltimore Ravens, but the Rams have gotten more out of him. He could add some veteran savvy to the Saints offense.
Lions WR Josh Reynolds
Reynolds has size that neither Chris Olave nor Rashid Shaheed can match at 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds, and he would be a nice addition to the receiving corps as someone with plenty of pro experience; he’ll turn 29 in February and will be suiting up for his 114th game on Sunday evening. He’s well-regarded as a blocker on running plays, but Reynolds can play above the rim, too — he’s averaged 15.2 yards per catch this season, the second-highest pace of his career.
Rams LB Christian Rozeboom
This might be an unconventional pick, but hear us out. Rozeboom is a key player on special teams for the Rams and has been for some time; he’s played 949 snaps in the kicking game over the last three years. He hasn’t shown much defensively while missing too many tackles and getting targeted often in coverage, but maybe a change of scenery could help him. The Saints will need more depth at linebacker in light of season-ending injuries for Nephi Sewell and Andrew Dowell, and Rozeboom fits the bill.
