Deonte Harris is now Deonte Harty, but he'll remain a member of the Saints unless another team decides to give up a premium asset for him.
The Saints put a second-round tender on their All-Pro return man and wide receiver, according to reports, ahead of the official start of free agency on Wednesday. The means Harty, a restricted free agent, will remain under contract with the Saints unless another team opts to surrender a second round pick as compensation.
That's far from impossible, considering how valuable Harty has proven to be over his first three NFL seasons. Harty had a career year in 2021 despite only playing in 13 games due to an injury and late-season suspension. He caught 36 passes for 570 yards and three touchdowns, which went for 55, 70 and 72 yards. The 24-year-old has consistently been one of the league's most dangerous return men in his three seasons since signing in New Orleans as a UDFA out of Assumption College.
Should no team opt to swoop in and sign Harty, the tender will pay out just shy of $4 million for the 2022 season, a hefty raise from the 3-year, $1.76 million contract he signed in 2019.
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The Saints enter the 2022 free agency cycle with significant questions at multiple positions, including wide receiver. They must also find an answer at quarterback, with Jameis Winston set to become a free agent. The Saints are also well in the mix for a potential trade for embattled but undeniably talented quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Saints entered the offseason roughly $60 million over the salary cap, but have pushed close to cap compliance ahead of the deadline with a handful of restructures, with several more that can be executed to clear additional space to sign free agents.