By Ross Jackson
The compensatory free agency period allows teams to recoup draft picks in the following year’s NFL Draft after losing key free agents who sign qualifying deals elsewhere. The deals have to be substantial enough and the players must be vital enough (by snap count thresholds) in order for those picks to be returned.
That portion of free agency ends immediately as the NFL Draft concludes. At which time, players that sign with new teams won’t result in their former teams earning a draft pick nor would their contracts cancel out any potential picks earned by their new teams.
The New Orleans Saints have landed some key free agents during this period in recent years. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry and safety Tyrann Mathieu are among the most notable.
This year, the Saints could again land some key free agents after the compensatory period has closed, including a big-bodied wide receiver, a veteran linebacker to add to the fold and even a backup quarterback.
WR Keenan Allen
If the Saints exit the 2025 NFL Draft without a big-bodied pass-catcher, head coach Kellen Moore could reunite with one of his former wideouts. Moore and Allen were together during the 2023 season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
That season, Allen was far and away the focal point of the Chargers’ offense. He finished with top-three career rankings in several major statistical categories..
2024 Stats (Career Ranking)
- 150 targets (No. 3)
- 108 receptions (No. 1)
- 1,243 receiving yards (No. 2)
- 7 touchdown catches (T-No.2)
New Orleans could use a big-bodied presence like Allen, as well as the additional veteran leadership he could provide alongside newly re-acquired Brandin Cooks. He doesn’t have to be the focus of the offense like he was in 2023, but his skill set would be perfect if the Saints are moving ahead with a young passer beginning in 2025.
LB C.J. Mosley
The 32-year-old linebacker has stated that he is not considering retirement and is then likely looking for a new landing spot. The Saints have had a lot of success with former Jets linebackers. Current star Demario Davis signed with the Saints after departing from his second stint with New York and Super Bowl champion Jonathan Vilma was acquired from the Big Apple via a trade. Maybe Mosley could be the next contributor to the position from the east coast.
Linebacker is an underrated need for New Orleans and while they have done a lot of work on the position leading up to the draft, adding another veteran presence could be a good move for the team.
Davis has started 196 games in his career and fellow Saints linebacker Pete Werner has started 48. But after that, the next-most starts at the position come from third-year backer Anfernee Orji with just two. Masley has started 131 in his career and while only appearing in four games last season, piled on 152 combined tackles in 2023.
Mosley is still a very effective veteran player at the position and could provide much needed experience and depth at linebacker.
QB Teddy Bridgewater
With quarterback Derek Carr seemingly likely to be either off the roster or out of commission for 2025, the Saints should look to turn to a young passer in order to take a chance at building toward their future this year. However, having a veteran backup they could turn to in a pinch would be a wise move.
The Saints have veteran passer Ben DiNucci on the roster presently, who spent two years (2020-2021) with Moore as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. However, the Saints have shown a penchant for familiarity and reunions already this season, staying in line with previous years. Bridgewater would be a valuable addition for multiple reasons.
He may not have the experience that DiNucci has with Moore, but he would be a celebrated signing for the team at a position that looks to be in something between suspense and turmoil this offseason. He would also be a player that has a proven track record of being able to win games when called upon as a starter.
Should their early-career passer-of-choice sustain any limitations via injury, (they should be patient if the young gun is struggling) Bridgewater could keep a team competitive. He’s a beloved player in the city that fans would quickly rally around as well.
