The first major free agency domino for the Saints has fallen, and it landed in Baltimore with a big new deal for free safety Marcus Williams.
Williams will cash in on a 5-year, $70 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, per a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Free agency officially begins on Wednesday. The Saints and Jets were two other teams in pursuit of Williams in free agency, per Fowler's report.
Retaining Williams was always going to be a challenge for New Orleans after they declined to use a second franchise tag on their 2017 draft pick, as he was viewed as a top option on the market entering 2022 free agency.
Williams has been among the most consistent centerfielders in the NFL over his five seasons, starting 76 of a possible 81 games over that span. He's accrued 320 tackles, 15 interceptions and 38 passes defensed and forced 3 fumbles over that span since being drafted by the Saints out of Utah in 2017.
The deal also comes in a familiar location with the Ravens long being a team that has ponied up to pay former Saints players, including former running backs Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray in recent seasons.
But it also means the Saints will have to bring in help at the position, whether through free agency or the draft. There is no young talent that could be viewed as a contender to start at free safety, though they retain ample depth at the strong safety position, headlined by veteran Malcolm Jenkins.
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One name likely to be a hot one in regard to the Saints is New Orleans native and former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu, whom Saints players have been openly recruiting for a homecoming in recent weeks. The Saints are also knee deep in the trade market for Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson, and their plans at quarterback one way or another will likely hold a steep impact on the rest of their free agent leanings. Thus far the only notable moves are re-signing depth DE Carl Granderson and inking All-Pro return man and wide receiver Deonte Harty to a second-round tender.
Watson holds a full no-trade clause and has been meeting with potential suitors, including the Saints, this week.