The New Orleans Saints came into free agency with some areas of need and money to spend. Unlike the past few years, they were expected to sign some big names which they did, landing not one but three players that instantly upgrade their roster. So, let’s take a look at the winners and losers in Saints free agency so far.
WINNER:
RB Travis Etienne Jr. – The Saints instantly improve their running back room by signing Jacksonville’s former first-round pick to a 4-year deal. Etienne has had three 1,000-yard
seasons in his four years with the Jaguars. Since 2022, he has racked up 256 combined touchdowns and first downs, which has him ranked 8th among running backs in the league. The Louisiana native will now return home to help improve the Saints rushing game.
WINNER:
G David Edwards – Offensive line has been one of the areas that the Saints have continually looked to upgrade over the past few seasons in drafting Kelvin Banks Jr. last April and Taliese Fuaga in 2024, However New Orleans still had an issue at guard due to the inconsistency and durability issues facing Cesar Ruiz. Edwards could be the solid answer at the position. After winning Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, Edwards has played at a high-level protecting Josh Allen in Buffalo for the past couple of years. In 2025, he played 1,035 snaps, allowing just three sacks.
WINNER:
P Ryan Wright – Punting has been a serious problem for the Saints ever since letting Thomas Morstead go back in 2021. A revolving door of players that never seemed to work out and most recently, Kai Kroeger, who averaged just 37.3 net yards per punt, ranking 31st in the league.
The Saints were able to sign Wright, an instant upgrade, who averaged 49 yards per punt, tying for 7th in the league as well as trade Kroeger and a 2028 seventh-round draft pick to Houston Texans for their 2028 sixth-round draft choice.
LOSER:
LB Demario Davis – It’s so hard to put Davis in this category but him leaving New Orleans is just such a shock. I understand a 2-year, $22M dollar contract is hard to pass up however, Kellen Moore is building something special here and Davis could have been a key part of that. Had he gone to the Eagles, Bills, or Broncos, I could understand because most players at the end of their careers leave to chase a ring. But the Jets are far away from being a solid competitor so signing with them is kind of a headscratcher other than just to grab that big contract.
After the first few days of free agency, the Saints have +10000 odds to win the Super Bowl on FanDuel Sportsbook.
What do you think of the newest members of the New Orleans Saints? Who would you like to see them pick up next? Let us know in the comments below!
