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NFL Power Rankings: Post-free agency

By John Buhler

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) returns a kickoff in the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) returns a kickoff in the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Saints

NFC, South

What, the New Orleans Saints have cap room? Well, they had some cap room and spent nearly all of it in the early part of NFL free agency. That being said, there were a lot of good signings to be had there with that $20 million worth of available money.

New Orleans successfully pried premier vertical threat Ted Ginn Jr. away from the division rival Carolina Panthers. However, they did trade former 2014 first-round pick Brandin Cooks to the New England Patriots. Apparently receivers not named Marques Colston don’t last long in the Big Easy.

Bring back Nick Fairley on the defensive line was a good, heads-up signing, as was getting another  player formerly of the Panthers in linebacker A.J. Klein. While adding guard Larry Warford in free agency should help the interior of the Saints offensive line, didn’t overspending on a guard a few years back send the Saints into salary cap purgatory?

Warford looks to replace the aging Jahri Evans at guard. He’s a good player, but the Saints seem to be kicking the can yet again when it comes to team building. Eventually this club will have to come to the realization that it will have to inevitably rebuild. Quarterback Drew Brees might be able to win some shootouts the next couple of years, but that Saints defense is still one of the worst in football.

Bringing back Fairly and adding Klein presumably in an expanded role from what he had in Carolina will help. However, the Saints aren’t realistically playoff viable unless their defense improves drastically. They are going to have to hit late in the NFL Draft to finish over .500 this season.

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