Denver Broncos: 3 Saints players to target in 2021 offseason
For those who don’t know, the New Orleans Saints are in salary cap hell in the 2021 offseason. It’s not a bad situation, it’s an abysmal situation, and the Broncos would be wise to take advantage of it.
So much so that the Saints are poised to be incredibly active in the offseason, which includes releasing, restructuring, and potentially trading certain players. In the Broncos’ situation, the team would be smart to call about a few Saints whose futures are unknown at best.
The team has a few holes to fill, and George Paton said that the team would be in on every deal, so I expect the team to call about a few players.
Denver Broncos targets from Saints: Marshon Lattimore, CB
Maybe the most obvious choice for his talent and the Broncos’ obvious need, Marshon Lattimore would immediately fill a huge need at cornerback.
Lattimore was drafted 11th overall out of Ohio State in the 2017 NFL draft and has been matching up against #1 wide receivers since then. He is the anchor in the New Orleans elite defensive unit and has blazing speed.
Running a 4.36 40 yard dash, he could definitely help against the likes of Tyreek Hill twice a year.
The only downside I can think of is his pending contract situation. He still has one more year on his rookie deal, but if he is traded to another team, he is sure to want a new contract, most likely near what Jalen Ramsey got from the Los Angeles Rams.
In my opinion, Lattimore would cost at least a first-round pick and potentially more. I’m not sure the Broncos’ 9th overall selection would be enough.
Kwon Alexander, LB
While it is more likely that Alexander is cut because of his contract, there is still a possibility that the Saints would try to get something for him. Being that he has battled injuries the past several years, and hasn’t played a full season since 2016, Alexander might have to reset his value on the market and take a more team-friendly deal.
Still just 26, Alexander is a quality player who would help boost the Broncos linebacking core. He has solid 4.55 speed, which is what the Broncos desperately need on defense.
This would be a low-risk, high reward situation for the team. In the last year he played a full 16 games, he racked up 145 tackles, 7 pass deflections, 3 sacks, and an interception.
Sheldon Rankins, DT
Rankins, who just completed his fifth year in the league, was a first-round draft selection out of Louisville in the 2016 draft.
With the uncertainty of pending free agent Shelby Harris and the injured Jurrell Casey, the Broncos would be wise to get a clearer direction on the defensive line and add some youth as well. Rankins is still just 26 and would allow the Broncos to take a less urgent approach with both Harris and Casey.
In my opinion, I would love to see Shelby Harris and Jurrell Casey back with the team, but this defense is getting older, and with the league’s youngest offense, it would be smart to sustain the same idea on defense.
I’m not sure if Rankins would be an upgrade over either Harris or Casey, but defensive line coach Bill Kollar is a mastermind, so I do not doubt he could mold Rankins into a long-term starter for the team.
The Broncos need to look under every stone this offseason to improve their fluid defensive situation. They have the misfortune of playing Patrick Mahomes twice a year, and now Justin Herbert has entered the picture.
Moreover, the Raiders’ offense is also above average, so unless the Broncos can figure out a way to match their division rivals’ offense output, they need to prioritize the defense.