Nick Fairley: Saints interested in free agent defensive tackle

After setting career highs in sacks and total tackles, Nick Fairley is reportedly closing in on a new deal with the Saints.

Defensive tackle, Nick Fairley hit free-agency for the third time in his career this offseason after voiding the final two years of a three-year deal that he signed this last offseason.

With career highs in total tackles and sacks this last season, it made sense for the 29-year-old to try to cash in on his best season to date and sign, the last long-term contract that likely would have been offered to him.

It seems his gamble paid off as NFL Insider, Ian Rapport reported that the Saints and Fairley were closing in on a “big-money contract.”

I’m a bit on the fence on this one. On one hand, Fairley was one of the best defensive tackles in this free-agent class, his 6.5 sacks were the fifth best in the position, but New Orleans didn’t really need to go this route as they have some projects that could step in during the rebuild and invest elsewhere.

One of the things that I do like about this deal is that he has hit free-agency three times in his career, usually taking “prove-it” deals to reach this kind of payday. It speaks to his work ethic if he is willing to go out there and prove himself to an organization.

While there is always the risk of a post-payout inflated ego, Fairley has steadily improved over the course of his career and if he continues down that track, he could put up even bigger numbers next season.

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Cameron Jordan, Tyeler Davison, Sheldon Rankins and David Onyemata will round out a solid defensive line which will enable the Saints to look to pick up a solid corner or linebacker in the draft depending on what happens with Brandin Cooks.