The New Orleans Saints’ 2024 to-do list is looking very manageable after extensions with Cesar Ruiz and Carl Granderson took two of their most important free agents off the board. With those two young players signed for the foreseeable future (along with team captain Cameron Jordan), team decision-makers will be able to focus on upgrading the roster rather than retaining talent.
But it all hinges on Derek Carr. The veteran quarterback has shown some good things (and some vulnerabilities) through his first couple of starts. Everything about the plan general manager Mickey Loomis and his top assistants Khai Harley and Jeff Ireland have drawn up relies on Carr fielding a playoffs-ready offense. If the Saints can reach the postseason with Carr putting points on the board, the plan ahead is crystal-clear.
Buy Saints TicketsSo what does the future hold for the Saints? Here are the hurdles in front of them in 2024:
2024 pending free agents
Here are the most notable players headed for free agency in the spring:
- OL Andrus Peat
- QB Jameis Winston
- DT Malcolm Roach
- LB Zack Baun
- WR Tre’Quan Smith
Roach feels like the only player in that group who the Saints should make a serious run at re-signing, but a strong season could price him out. With Bryan Bresee progressing well and high-dollar contracts signed with Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd, there isn’t much left over for a fourth defensive tackle.
Big decision on Michael Thomas
Thomas renegotiated his contract this offseason so that it’s effectively a prove-it deal: the Saints must decide whether to extend him or release him (with a post-June 1 designation to maximize salary cap benefits) by March 13, 2024. He isn’t a free agent, and releasing him won’t result in any sort of compensatory draft pick for New Orleans. But if he continues to stay healthy and play well this season he could stick around for the long haul.
Salary cap maneuvering
As is the case every year, the Saints need to navigate the salary cap — and right now they’re estimated to be in the red by more than $60 million, again leading the NFL. But that number is easier to manipulate than you’d think. A couple of planned restructures with key players will make up a lot of ground:
- QB Derek Carr: $23,032,000
- RT Ryan Ramczyk: $11,906,250
- CB Marshon Lattimore: $10,406,250
- C Erik McCoy: $6,731,250
- RG Cesar Ruiz: $6,636,000
Those five restructures nearly go the distance by themselves (totaling $58,711,750 in potential savings without cutting a single player). And that’s not touching deals with aging defenders like Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu, and Marcus Maye or players on offense who could also face tough decisions like Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, and James Hurst.
What about the draft?
Let’s not overlook the 2024 NFL draft — it’s a key offseason event after all. And the Saints are projected to own nine picks next year. That’s going to be very useful in acquiring new talent and retooling the roster to remain competitive, not to mention getting younger at some key position groups.
These are the Saints’ current picks in the 2024 draft, though compensatory selections won’t be confirmed until March. Those are marked in italicized text:
- Round 1
- Round 2 (via Denver Broncos, for Sean Payton)
- Round 4 (compensatory for Marcus Davenport)
- Round 4 (compensatory for David Onyemata)
- Round 5
- Round 6
- Round 6 (via Philadelphia Eagles or Tennessee Titans, for C.J. Gardner-Johnson)
- Round 6 (compensatory for Kaden Elliss)
- Round 7 (via Denver Broncos, for Wil Lutz)
What's the bottom line?
This isn’t a tough gauntlet to run. The Saints don’t have any key starters headed for free agency. They’ll be able to compete for veterans on the open market after restructuring contracts with players who will be here anyway. If Derek Carr can lead them to the playoffs and make some noise, they’ll be in contention in the spring.
But that’s where the tension resides. Carr’s version of the offense hasn’t been too impressive through two weeks (though it is markedly better than what we’ve seen from the Saints in recent years). Maybe Alvin Kamara’s return helps them get up to speed. If not, if they continue to rank bottom-10 in yards per play and points per drive, things suddenly look very grim. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. If things go as well as hoped this team is set up for success.
