Saints’ safety room won’t need much attention in free agency

By Ross Jackson

With the NFL’s negotiating period ongoing and free agency approaching, there’s one position room for the New Orleans Saints that might not need to see much action: the safety room. 

New Orleans extended safety Julian Blackmon earlier this year with a new one-year deal. He is now reunited with veteran leader Justin Reid, second-year safety Jonas Sanker and young vet Jordan Howden. 

The Saints won’t have to do much work this free agency period to add impact to the room. The top-four safeties all have made the group a solid and productive one already. 

The team could look to extend or re-sign veterans like Ugo Amadi and Terrell Burgess. The pair would join 2025 undrafted addition Elliott Davison to help shore up depth and special teams contributors. 

One wrinkle that could take place could come in the NFL Draft. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs could be the best player on the board at No. 8 overall when the Saints pick in the first round. 

Downs would be a solid fit at the “STAR” role in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system, or could be set at strong safety while another option like Sanker moves into the hybrid role. 

While that could be an option in the draft, free agency isn’t likely an area where the Saints will look to spend big at safety. Especially with bigger needs that need to be addressed.