New Orleans Saints free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) points at the defense during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2 of 5

(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Ryan Fitzpatrick

With Teddy Bridgewater likely leaving for a chance to fight for a starting quarterback job, the Saints will be looking to get a new backup . They have Taysom Hill, who looks like he could be a future starter, but right now they like using him as a change-of-pace player. The Saints will want some insurance in case something happens to Brees.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is still a high-ceiling, low-floor option. He will come at a cheaper price, as he’s near the end of his career. He brings a veteran presence that compliments what Brees brings if he were in the huddle. He also was one of three quarterbacks to beat the Saints in the regular season.

Some will see this and groan because of Fitzpatrick’s interception issues, but he knows how to throw the deep ball, can move his eyes in the pocket and he’s never had a running back duo like Mark Ingram (assuming they re-sign him) and Alvin Kamara. On the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had no running game, yet he still managed to show off some of his “Fitzmagic”. He did his best to carry the Buccaneers in the early part of the year while Jameis Winston was suspended, but they tried throwing him back in the fire later in the year and that was a no-win situation.

In New Orleans, he would only need to be the general of the offense, and that’s if they ever need him. Brees has been remarkably healthy with New Orleans despite the shoulder issues he had when he signed. Fitzpatrick is an insurance policy that won’t cost the Saints what other backups will command.

Home/New Orleans Saints