It only took a matter into the NFL's legal tampering period to make something clear for the Saints: The defensive line will be rebuilt, by necessity.
That's because each of David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle landed hefty deals from NFC South rivals on Monday, with the news breaking for each within an hour of each other.
Onyemata's deal was reported first, with the 30-year-old set to join former Saints co-DC and defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen with the Atlanta Falcons. His deal is for 3 years, $35 million, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter. That number makes him one of just 16 NFL defensive tackles, as of Monday afternoon, to earn more than $10 million per season.
Onyemata was a 4th round pick of the Saints in 2016 and has appeared in 106 games over 7 seasons in New Orleans, starting 68 of them. He's accrued 244 tackles (131 solo), along with 23 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. He started all 17 games of the 2022 season and came on strong down the stretch of the year, accounting for 43 tackles (25 solo) and 5 sacks.
Tuttle's deal was a bit more of a surprise, with the 27-year-old landing with the Panthers on a 3-year, $19.5 million deal, according to Schefter.
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Tuttle joined the Saints as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2019 season and immediately carved out a role in the defensive rotation. He appeared in all 16 games during his rookie season, logging 18 tackles (8 solo) and 2 sacks, but it was his Thanksgiving interception and stiff arm against Matt Ryan that will be remembered by many fans. Tuttle appeared in all 17 games in the 2022 season, starting 14, while logging 49 tackles (26 solo), 2 sacks and 5 passes defensed.
The other big name along the Saints defensive line hitting free agency is Marcus Davenport, and it's possible he could be another Nielsen target going forward. Regardless, the Saints will have to be aggressive in rebuilding their defensive line, particularly the interior, through free agency and the draft. The Saints have picks at Nos. 29, 40 and 71, all of which could be used on DT talent.
The Saints were not active during the flurry of activity on Monday, likely due in part to having already made a big splash with the signing of Derek Carr a week earlier. The Saints have also brought back special teams ace J.T. Gray, TE Juwan Johnson, WR Keith Kirkwood, DE Tanoh Kpassagnon and G Calvin Throckmorton on new deals.
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