New Orleans Saints might have to wave goodbye to these 3 cap casualties

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 25: Kwon Alexander #58 of the New Orleans Saints is carted off the field following an injury during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 25, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 08: Janoris Jenkins #20 of the New Orleans Saints breaks up a pass intended for Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. Janoris Jenkins

Jenkins was a decent starting cornerback for the Saints last season, but the prospect of cutting him to save $10 million after June 1 should be very appealing to the team’s front office. Age is a factor with him too. Paying a cornerback who will be 33 next season big money isn’t the epitome of solid roster construction.

Admittedly, cutting a starting defensive back is a tough pill to swallow for a team that still fancies itself to be a Super Bowl contender in 2021. That doesn’t mean finding an upgrade over Jenkins is impossible. New Orleans should strongly consider using an early-round draft pick to fortify their secondary for years to come.

They could also give Patrick Robinson or Chauncey Gardner-Johnson the opportunity to seize the starting position. Both seem to be better options in the slot, but Gardner-Johnson, in particular, has the athletic profile to hold up on the outside.

Cutting a starter like Jenkins is the cost the Saints will be forced to pay this offseason for their past cap transgressions. This is a move that could come back to haunt Sean Payton and his staff, but it’s a gamble they need to make.

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