The New Orleans Saints have not wasted time making additions around the roster due to injuries and hard-to-watch position battles. After an embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans went out and traded for RB Zamir White, who should be a good depth option in the RB room, and signed kicker Daniel Carlson, who instantly became the favorite for the starting job. Before Kellen Moore’s arrival, the Saints were a team that felt it was always too late to make changes that should have been made. But now, this team does not waste time and will make the needed additions. They don’t always do that; for example, the kicking situation last season.
They were burned by that, but it seems they learned a lesson. So, if the Saints want to continue to make moves, here are some that make sense:
Sign Guard James Daniels
This move depends on whether James Daniels is willing to be a backup; if he is, the Saints need to make it. The Saints’ offensive line depth is a bit all over the place due to injuries and some struggles, so getting in a proven veteran would make sense. Dillon Radunz was that guy, but he will miss the entire season. The Saints need to find their next Radunz-level player, and Daniels could be that player. Throughout his career, Daniels has played both center and guard, so he can fill in if there’s an injury, which, let’s be realistic, has a higher chance of happening than not. Also, Daniels is coming off his own string of injuries, so a cheaper prove-it deal for a year makes sense, but again, the veteran has to be fine with not being a starter.
Sign TE Jonnu Smith
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The Saints’ TE room has been massacred by injuries, and although the top 2 guys (Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant) are still healthy, the depth is not. Oscar Delp is dealing with a hamstring issue, which has apparently been the theme of the Saints’ offseason, and Moliki Matavao was just placed on IR.
With Moore wanting to use more TEs this season, having a third option in that room is really important, so the Saints must sign someone. Looking at free agent options, Jonnu Smith. He’s a proven veteran and still athletic at 31, which could make him an ideal third option.
Trade Spencer Rattler
Zach Wilson looked good in game 1 and bad in game 2, while Spencer Rattler was bad in both. This QB battle has gone from interesting to hard to watch. If this last preseason game is a repeat of this past week against the Rams, the Saints will seriously need to consider their options. Due to Tyler Shough being the clear starter, the Saints do not need to bring 3 QBs on the roster this year.
So, if the battle is even, might as well go with Wilson, who played overall better this offseason, and trade Rattler. Rattler likely has the higher value around the league even with his struggles in preseason, and the Saints might as well get something out of him.
