NFL free agency update: Alex Okafor signs with New Orleans Saints

Alex Okafor is coming off a torn Achilles, and the New Orleans Saints are betting he can be a top defensive lineman for them in 2018.

Defensive ends are harder to come by in the NFL than it may seem. Usually, safety is the position teams can’t seem to fill, but ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers how much of a detriment not having edge rushers can be.

Tampa won’t be getting Alex Okafor, and their hunt continues deep into the free agency barrel. New Orleans, however, will be getting that help and are bringing Okafor back on a deal that could end up being a steal if all goes well.

Okafor is coming off an Achilles injury that cut short his first season with the Saints. He spent his career before that with the Arizona Cardinals but won’t be putting on a third jersey just yet. Okafor — who has reportedly been recovering well from Achilles surgery — could give the Saints defensive line an added boost as the sins of last year look to be forgiven.

Contract details

It’ll be a two-year deal for Okafor which will be worth up to $10 million if all goes well. It’s a bargain price for New Orleans if they can get out of Okafor the potential he’s shown. 

National reaction

Next: 2018 NFL Free Agent Tracker

Grade

This deal all hinges on whether or not Okafor stays healthy and is able to return to form. Before his season was ended last year, he was proving to be a star on the Saints defensive front. If he can return to that level, and then build on it, this is a steal of a deal. New Orleans probably should have made it to the Super Bowl last year, and this is a deal that helps keep continuity while also setting Okafor up for success.

Grade: B-