Fansided

NFL free agency 2019: Grades for every team

By Kevin Parvizi

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 28: Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after his 25-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 28: Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after his 25-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints

Key Additions: TE Jared Cook, C Nick Easton, DT Malcom Brown, CB Marcus Sherels, RB Latavius Murray

Key Departures: RB Mark Ingram, C Max Unger (retirement), S Kurt Coleman, ILB Manti Te’o, CB P.J. Williams, OT Jermon Bushrod

Grade: B

It’s rare for a team that was one play away from a Super Bowl appearance to get stronger in free agency, but that’s exactly what Mickey Loomis and the New Orleans Saints accomplished this offseason. In Jared Cook and Malcom Brown, the Saints signed two potential difference-makers on both sides of the ball, and they have no shortage of impact players with a roster that includes the likes of Michael Thomas, Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Marcus Lattimore, and Sheldon Rankins.

The Saints have essentially no holes on their roster, and when one seemed to pop up when stud run blocker Max Unger announced his retirement, New Orleans signed an arguably better and more versatile player in Nick Easton, who spent time playing guard and center with the Minnesota Vikings.

Mark Ingram is the biggest name to leave the Saints this offseason, and he’s but a footnote with Kamara starring at the position. Even so, the Saints signed a backup to replace Ingram, and while it would be unfair to call Latavius Murray better, he adds something extra as a dynamic rusher and could be a breakout sleeper in New Orleans.

Once again, the Saints showed the rest of the league why they have built a consistent winner, and it’s hard not to be excited for what this organization can do as a follow-up to an excellent 2018 campaign that ended in heartbreak.

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