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| NO - Junior Galette favorite for starting job - |
New Orleans Saints LB Junior Galette is expected to be the leading candidate for the starting weakside outside linebacker entering training camp.
| NO - Two expected to compete for one OLB job - |
New Orleans Saints LBs Martez Wilson and Victor Butler are expected to compete for the starting strongside outside linebacker job during offseason workouts and training camp.
| NO - Martez Wilson excited about new role - |
New Orleans Saints LB Martez Wilson said he is excited about playing in the team's 3-4 defensive alignment because he will be standing up. 'I will feel more comfortable. I have been standing up my whole career. I'll be able to read and react faster. I know I'll be able to use my athleticism and be all over the field at different positions,' Wilson said.
| NO - Isaako Aaitui signs - |
The New Orleans Saints signed free-agent DT Isaako Aaitui (Jets) to a two-year deal.
| NO - Charles Brown expected to get first shot at OT - |
New Orleans Saints OT Charles Brown is expected to receive the first opportunity to win the starting left tackle job but is expected to compete with OTs Jason Smith and Terron Armstead for the job.
| NO - Mark Ingram improved in second half of season - |
New Orleans Saints RB Mark Ingram rushed for 178 yards and one touchdown in the first eight games of the 2012 season but rushed for 424 yards and four touchdowns in the second half of the season.
Footballguys view: We could see more from Ingram this year. He's failed to live up to his first-round draft status as a pro but is trending upwards. With the return of head coach Sean Payton we may see the team emphasize the ground game a little more than they did last year. Ingram's current ADP is RB36 and he's coming off the board in the middle of round eight.
| NO - Mark Ingram not worrying about individual goals - |
New Orleans Saints RB Mark Ingram said he does not want his personal goals to outweigh the team's goals this season. 'I just want to go out there and do what I can to help the team win a championship,' Ingram said. 'Of course I want to have a big year individually. But, you know, the main goal is to win games and stay healthy and be out there on the field on Sundays.' Ingram said he is fine with sharing carries with Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles.
| NO - Baraka Atkins signed - |
The New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent LB Baraka Atkins (Cowboys). Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Atkins participated in the team's rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
| NO - Sign John Jenkins - |
The New Orleans Saints signed DT John Jenkins to a four-year contract Friday, May 10. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Footballguys view: Jenkins is one of the most disruptive players in this draft class. He's huge, understands leverage, and has good lateral agility for a big man. Jenkins will immediately help the Saints run defense.
| NO - Terron Armstead terms - |
The New Orleans Saints signed third-round pick OT Terron Armstead to a $2.86 million deal with a $617,436 signing bonus.
| NO - Mark Ingram fully healthy - |
New Orleans Saints RB Mark Ingram is fully healthy for the first time since entering the NFL.
Footballguys view: Fantasy owners need to put a little star by this story. Ingram will get a chance to live up to his first-round draft status this season as the Saints leading ball carrier. Reports indicate the Saints will work to mix in the ground game more this year upon the return of head coach Sean Payton. Ingram could be a nice value this year. His current ADP is RB39 and he's coming off the board at the beginning of round nine.
| NO - Three draft choices signed - |
The New Orleans Saints have signed third-round draft choice OT Terron Armstead, fifth-round draft choice WR Kenny Stills and sixth-round draft choice LB Rufus Johnson to four-year deals. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Footballguys view: Stills is a player to watch in dynasty leagues. He's a fluid athlete with deep speed and ball tracking ability. His skill set is a nice fit for the Saints offense.
| NO - Kenny Vaccaro signed - |
The New Orleans Saints have signed first-round draft choice S Kenny Vaccaro to a four-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Footballguys view: Vaccaro could be an impact player from week one. He can play close to the line of scrimmage and is a sound run defender who isn't afraid to mix it up inside. Vaccaro can also cover and has the hips to turn and stay with receivers in stride.
| NO - John Beck to try out at minicamp - |
Free-agent QB John Beck (Texans) will participate in the New Orleans Saints' rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
| NO - Will look to improve running game - |
New Orleans Saints RB Pierre Thomas said head coach Sean Payton wants more focus on the running game this season. 'There's going to be more focus this year on that ground game than any year. He said we've got to get back to running the ball, having 100-yard games non-stop. I can't wait. I'm excited and I know everybody else is excited,' Payton said.
Footballguys view: The Saints will try to get back on track this year after the BountyGate scandal that bogged them down in 2012. Part of getting back on track is an increased emphasis on the ground game. That could mean good things for Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas. Ingram has a current ADP of RB39 and is coming off the board at the top of round nine. Thomas has a current ADP of RB65 and is coming off the board at the end of round 13.
| NO - Vaccaro an 'impact' player - |
Saints first-round pick Kenny Vaccaro (Texas) led all Safeties with 14 impact tackles last year. 'Impact' tackles are defined as tackles made for a gain of two yards or less that prevented a first down or a touchdown.
Footballguys view: The Saints certainly added an impact player with Vaccaro in the first-round. He can play close to the line of scrimmage and is a sound open field tackler who helps in run support. Vaccaro also has the ability to turn and cover receivers downfield.
| NO - Kenny Vaccaro to shake some things up - |
New Orleans Saints first-round pick S Kenny Vaccaro is expected to push for one of the starting safety spots. General manager Mickey Loomis said the team would explore playing FS Malcolm Jenkins at nickel back to get Vaccaro on the field in nickel packages.
Footballguys view: Vaccaro is a multidimensional player who can contribute in many different ways. He's able to play near the line of scrimmage in the box and has a nose for the football. Vaccaro can also cover in the open field and has good recovery speed. We're excited to see how this rookie will impact what the Saints do defensively.
| NO - Victor Butler's job to lose - |
New Orleans Saints LB Victor Butler has a starting job to lose in training camp.
| NO - Jonathan Vilma has inside shot - |
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma has been the talk of the weight room and seems to be the front-runner for the second inside spot.
| NO - Zach Strief likely to start at RT - |
New Orleans Saints OT Zach Strief is likely to be the starting right tackle, and someone would have to unseat him in camp to win the job.
| NO - Four to battle for LT - |
New Orleans Saints OTs Charles Brown, Jason Smith and Terron Armstead and Marcel Jones will have a chance to win the starting left tackle spot.
Footballguys view: The Saints have a nice mix of talent on the offensive line. They need to find a left tackle to replace Jermon Bushrod (Bears) who was lost in free agency.
| NO - Josh Jasper to try out - |
Free-agent PK Josh Jasper (Buccaneers) will participate in the New Orleans Saints' upcoming rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
| NO - Created cap space with Chris Ivory move - |
The New Orleans Saints have a little more salary cap following their trade of RB Chris Ivory to the New York Jets last week.
Footballguys view: The Saints were able to save around $2MM in salary, and they now have a little over $3MM in cap space total. They'll need about $1.6-2MM in cap space to sign their rookie class.
| NO - Malcolm Jenkins could be moved to nickel CB - |
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Tuesday, April 30, that the team is considering a scenario which will get S Kenny Vaccaro on the field. It would require moving FS Malcolm Jenkins to nickel cornerback on passing downs.
Footballguys view: The addition of Vaccaro was a strong one for the Saints defense. He has position versatility and can line up at Free Safety or Nickel Cornerback himself. Vaccaro can play near the line of scrimmage, help in run support, and can also turn to cover WRs downfield.
| NO - Terron Armstead could win LT job - |
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Tuesday, April 30, that the team would not rule out using OT Terron Armstead, their third-round pick, as a starter at left tackle this season. 'There's a competition there,' Loomis said.
Footballguys view: Armstead needs to clean up some of his technique but he certainly has the athleticism to play Left Tackle at the pro level. He's got a quick kick step and can set up quickly against edge rushers. However, he can get put on skates by bull rushers and needs to strengthen his base.
| NO - Sign 12 UDFAs - |
The New Orleans Saints have signed undrafted free-agent RB Shawne Alston (West Virginia), DE Glenn Foster (Illinois), TE Josh Hill (Idaho State), CB Ryan Lacy (Utah), OG Tim Lelito (Grand Valley State), LB Eric Martin (Nebraska), C Elliot Mealer (Michigan), TE Keavon Milton (Louisiana-Monroe), LB Kevin Reddick (North Carolina), LB Rayford Shipman (Central Florida), CB Rod Sweeting (Georgia Tech) and LB Chase Thomas (Stanford). Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Footballguys view: Reddick was expected to be drafted as high as the 3rd or 4th round by some draft analysts. He moves well, but has trouble finding the ball at times. He projects as a WILB in the Saints' 3-4, so he might have fantasy value down the line in IDP leagues if he sticks.
| NO - Ryan Griffin added - |
The New Orleans Saints signed undrafted free agent QB Ryan W. Griffin (Tulane) Saturday, April 27, according to a source.
Footballguys view: Griffin was one of the better developmental quarterback prospects available in the late rounds. He has the New Orleans connection, and the team was able to make a good backup out of the undrafted Chase Daniel, so Griffin is one to track in camp to see if he can follow in Daniel's footsteps.
| NO - Chris Ivory traded - |
The New Orleans Saints traded RB Chris Ivory to the New York Jets for a fourth-round draft pick.
| NO - Malcolm Jenkins uncertain about future - |
New Orleans Saints FS Malcolm Jenkins said he understands his future with the team is uncertain after the team added S Kenny Vaccaro. 'When it comes to me, it puts a little bit of uncertainty as far as the future, but nothing in this game is guaranteed. It's part of the business,' Jenkins said. 'But what is guaranteed is an opportunity that we have this year that we have. I know Coach Payton is a big believer in this, and I wholeheartedly agree that competition breeds excellence. The best years that we've had is when we have a lot of competition for positions.'
| NO - Malcolm Jenkins could change to CB - |
The New Orleans Saints have considered moving FS Malcolm Jenkins back to cornerback after selecting S Kenny Vaccaro in the NFL Draft.
| NO - Kenny Vaccaro selected 15th overall - |
The New Orleans Saints selected Texas S Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Footballguys view: Vaccaro steps into a secondary with a clear need for his services and will get a chance to generate some turnovers as teams have to throw to catch up with the Saints' offense.
| NO - No Chris Ivory trade imminent - |
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said no trade for RB Chris Ivory is imminent.
| NO - Talking to teams about Chris Ivory - |
New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis said he has talked to many teams about trading RB Chris Ivory, not just the New York Jets.
Footballguys view: Ivory reminds some of Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks) because of his relentless style and straight line speed. He could step in and compete for a starting job with several teams around the league. In New Orleans he is buried on the depth chart behind Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles, and Pierre Thomas.
| NO - Willing to trade down - |
The New Orleans Saints are willing to move down in the first round of the NFL Draft, but not too far down, according to general manager Mickey Loomis.
Footballguys view: Get in line. There are several teams that want to trade down this year. At least three of the top 10 teams are looking at the possibility of moving down in the draft.
| NO - Have shown interest in Patrick Robertson - |
The New Orleans Saints have shown interest in Murray State WR Patrick Robertson.
| NO - Working out Vance McDonald - |
The New Orleans Saints are working out Rice TE Vance McDonald Monday, April 22.
Footballguys view: McDonald is an athletic move TE who can attack the deep middle seam of the defense. He moves well through traffic and consistently catches the ball with arms extended away from his body. McDonald is not much of a blocker and sometimes will drop catchable passes because he's worried about running before securing the football.
| NO - Appear interested in Cornellius Carradine - |
The New Orleans Saints are believed to be intrigued with Florida State DE Cornellius Carradine.
Footballguys view: Several teams are interested in Carradine, especially after he was able to run a 4.75 40-yard dash a mere 135 days after surgery to repair his injured knee. Carradine was looking like a top 5 pick before a late November knee injury cost him the rest of his final season at Florida State.
| NO - Scott Fujita to retire as member of team - |
Free-agent LB Scott Fujita (Browns) has signed a one-day contract with the New Orleans Saints and will retire as a member of the organization.
| NO - Michael Mauti visits - |
Penn State LB Michael Mauti said he met with the New Orleans Saints this offseason.
| NO - Xavier Rhodes could be targeted - |
The New Orleans Saints made cornerback their top priority in free agency, and even after adding CB Keenan Lewis, they still pursued other targets. The team wants to improve their pass defense, with an emphasis on physical corners who can handle man-to-man press coverage. That makes Florida State CB Xavier Rhodes a very realistic option for the team with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. University of Washington CB Desmond Trufant is also a possibility.
Footballguys view: Rhodes is a big CB who isn't afraid to play press coverage. He can turn and run with WRs downfield showing good speed in a straight line.
| NO - Re-sign Chris Ivory - |
The New Orleans Saints re-signed RB Chris Ivory Friday, April 19. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Footballguys view: Ivory can now be traded, and this does come off of the heels of Ivory's visit to the Jets. Rich Cimini of ESPN New York seems to think a trade is very possible, so Ivory's value in dynasty leagues could be in for a leap.
| NO - Chris Ivory has few options - |
New Orleans Saints RB Chris Ivory is running out of time to sign an offer sheet. Ivory would have to sign an offer sheet by 11:59 Friday night. If Ivory does not sign an offer sheet, he could sign his franchise tender, or push for a trade. The Jets have shown interest in trying to acquire Ivory in a trade.
| NO - Malcolm Bronson visiting - |
The New Orleans Saints are visiting with McNeese State S Malcolm Bronson Wednesday, April 17.
| NO - Chris Faulk visits - |
The New Orleans Saints visited with Louisiana State OT Chris Faulk Tuesday, April 16.
| NO - Gerald Hodges visits - |
The New Orleans Saints will visit with Penn State LB Gerald Hodges this week.
| NO - Seneca Wallace signed - |
The New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent QB Seneca Wallace (Browns) to a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
| NO - Akiem Hicks likely will be used at NT first - |
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said DT Akiem Hicks will initially be used at nose tackle during offseason workouts but will also how to play the defensive end position in the team's 3-4 defensive alignment.
| NO - Sedrick Ellis negotiating - |
Free-agent DL Sedrick Ellis said he has been in contact with the New Orleans Saints about re-signing with the team.
| NO - Joe Morgan expected to get bigger role - |
New Orleans Saints WR Joe Morgan is expected to have a bigger role in the offense next season because he is the No. 3 wide receiver on the depth chart. He said he needs to work on his short and intermediate routes to make himself a more complete receiver.
Footballguys view: Morgan is more sure-handed than Devery Henderson, and just as athletic. He could be a breakout player in 2013 and should be stashed away in deep dynasty leagues.
| NO - Jason Smith could be top candidate for LT job - |
New Orleans Saints OT Jason Smith could be the leading candidate for the starting left tackle job at this point.
Footballguys view: That should send shivers through the spines of Saints fans. The team isn't in good position to get a top left tackle at #15, but they could still reach for Florida State's Menelik Watson, a highly athletic basketball convert with little football experience under his belt. Drew Brees quick release and a fast-paced offense should help hide any potential issues the team has at offensive tackle.
