5 landing spots for Marcus Williams in 2022 NFL free agency

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 12: Marcus Williams #43 of the New Orleans Saints heads to the sideline after intercepting a pass from Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of a game at TIAA Bank Field on September 12, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 19: Marshon Lattimore #23 and Marcus Williams #43 of the New Orleans Saints celebrate after a fumble recovery during the 3rd quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

4. Top free-agent landing spots for Marcus Williams – New Orleans Saints

It seems fairly obvious to say that the Saints are a good landing spot for Williams but it makes complete sense. Williams is a key cog to New Orleans’ strong secondary and the franchise thought highly enough of Williams to tender the franchise tag last winter.

The tag value for safeties is cheap enough that even a 120% salary increase that would come with tagging Williams a second time costs just under $13 million. For a safety as dynamic as Williams, this contract would be a bargain for the Saints.

The obvious drawback here is what the Saints choose to do with their salary cap situation, which is the NFL’s worst as a result of years spent kicking the can down the road to try and contend with Drew Brees. Now that both Brees and Sean Payton are gone, it would make some sense for New Orleans to clean up its salary cap situation now to set itself up for long-term success.

That route would likely require the Saints to sacrifice Williams even though he is an ascending young talent. We’ll leave the Saints here since they have shown a tremendous ability to play salary cap gymnastics over the years and could easily re-sign or tag Williams if they determine he is too valuable to let go.

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