By Ross Jackson
While the Eagles were Kellen Moore’s most recent stop, the Saints’ new head coach has connections across the NFL, expanding his potential player pool.
With the overlap of defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and offensive line coach Brendan Nugent with the Los Angeles Chargers, there is another pool of players still available from which the Saints could pursue new additions.
Here are three former Chargers with connections to the Saints’ new staff to watch as New Orleans learns more about its current roster.
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
New Orleans has already seemingly opened the door here with a visit to the cornerback ahead of OTAs getting started. The corner had an offseason neck procedure that will be re-evaluated in July. Should that check come back clean, a reunion with the coach that drafted him, Staley, could be in store.
The Saints have a solid cornerback group, but with rookie Quincy Riley still recovering from an offseason procedure, adding depth could be a smart move, especially a veteran with experience in Brandon Staley’s scheme to help guide the young unit.
LB Eric Kendricks
The Saints linebacker room has a lot of experience at the top with starters Demario Davis and Pete Werner. After that, the room is very young. Even with the new and exciting addition of Danny Stutsman being added via the draft, another veteran leader could be worth an investment.
Kendricks is a bona fide leader with a lot of experience. The Saints have set themselves up to get younger in future years with a nine-player draft class and further investments with sub-30-year-old players. A one-year deal, if Kendricks is willing, could help to develop that young talent before the room completely turns over to it.
WR Keenan Allen
Everyone has been waiting to see if the Saints will add a bigger wide receiver than they currently have in their room. The 6-foot-2, 211 pound Allen isn’t much bigger than the top-end size of the Saints’ wide receiver corps.
However, his ability as a physical player and stellar route runner helps him play bigger than he really is. That perception could help to take the Saints receiver group to its next level. However, if you ask Saints veteran Brandin Cooks, such a mold might not actually be as necessary as the narrative claims.
