It's officially time for NFL teams to start adding players to their rosters in free agency -- well, almost.
As of Monday, March 11, teams can begin speaking with potential free agents. Those deals cannot become official until March 13.
The New Orleans Saints have not traditionally been among the teams making big, early splashes, though they will be in the market to add players at key positions. Follow the tracker below, which will be updated with moves, visits and other key information. If nothing is noted next to a particular player, that means their status remains unknown.
SAINTS FREE AGENTS (last update, March 13, 3 p.m.)
Restricted free agents
- WR Rashid Shaheed, ERFA: Saints have tendered Shaheed and he will return on a 1-year deal
- WR Lynn Bowden, RFA: Saints did not extend a tender to Bowden, meaning he will become a free agent. He could still return on a new deal.
Unrestricted free agents
- DB Ugo Amadi, UFA
- LB Zack Baun, UFA: signing with Philadelphia Eagles (report)
- RB Eno Benjamin, UFA
- LB Andrew Dowell, UFA
- RT Cam Erving, UFA
- G Max Garcia, UFA
- TE Jimmy Graham, UFA
- CB Shemar Jean-Charles, UFA
- S Lonnie Johnson, UFA: signing with the Houston Texans (report)
- WR Keith Kirkwood, UFA
- DT P.J. Mustipher, UFA
- LT/LG Andrus Peat, UFA
- DE Kyle Phillips, UFA
- DT Malcolm Roach, UFA: signing with Denver Broncos (report)
- LB Ty Summers, UFA
- G Trai Turner, UFA
- CB Isaac Yiadom, UFA: signing with San Francisco 49ers
Other
- WR Michael Thomas: released/post-June 1 cut (report)
- QB Jameis Winston: cut/signing with the Cleveland Browns (report)
- S Marcus Maye: contract terminated as of March 12
SIGNED
- FB Zander Horvath: 1 year, $915K
- LB Willie Gay: 1 year, max $5M
- QB Nathan Peterman: 1-year deal
- WR Cedrick Wilson: 2-year deal
- WR Stanley Morgan: 1-year deal
- DE Chase Young: 1 year, $13 million
RE-SIGNED
- FB Adam Prentice: 1-year deal
- S Ugo Amadi: 1-year deal
- S Johnathan Abram: 1-year deal
VISITS (not signed)
- CB Avonte Maddox (report)
The Saints have several needs this offseason, though they could look to address those in either the draft or free agency. Their roster will also be formed to some degree by their decisions on their own free agents, most notably LB Zack Baun, CB Isaac Yiadom and OT Andrus Peat. The Saints have also been reportedly shopping CB Marshon Lattimore for a potential trade, which would significantly impact their team needs.
Heading into free agency, the team's biggest needs would appear to be:
- Slot cornerback
- Safety
- Offensive line (primarily the left side)
- Pass rush help