New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints failed to select a safety in the 2022 NFL draft, and now it appears they're turning their attention to one of the best available at the position on the free-agent market. 

The Saints are reportedly expected to "make an aggressive push" to sign Tyrann Mathieu, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who noted the three-time Pro Bowler was "born and raised" in New Orleans.

Before we get into specifics on Mathieu, here's a quick look at New Orleans' 2022 draft class:

• No. 11: Chris Olave, wide receiver
• No. 19: Trevor Penning, offensive tackle
• No. 49: Alontae Taylor, cornerback
• No. 161: D'Marco Jackson, linebacker
• No. 194: Jordan Jackson, defensive tackle

After losing Marcus Williams to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, and losing Malcolm Jenkins to retirement, the Saints could use another safety.

The team's current depth chart at the position includes Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Maye, Daniel Sorensen, P.J. Williams, Justin Evans and J.T. Gray. Mathieu would represent an upgrade over all of those players and has the flexibility to play either free safety or strong safety. 

Mathieu spent the last three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, earning two All-Pro and two Pro Bowl selections. During the 2021 season, he recorded three interceptions, six passes defended, one sack, three fumble recoveries and 76 tackles. 

The LSU product initially visited the Saints on April 5 and noted he would love to be given the opportunity to play in New Orleans in front of his family and friends. 

"First and foremost, it's a great opportunity with Dennis Allen stepping into that lead position," Mathieu said after the visit, according to Wilson Alexander of The Advocate. "He's a great defensive mind. I have a lot of respect for Mrs. Benson and the kind of things she does through the community. 

"It's a team I grew up watching," he added. "Anytime I get to play in front of family and friends, it obviously gives me more energy. It would be a great opportunity if that was to come."

Mathieu, who noted he has good relationships with Saints defenders Cam Jordan and Marshon Lattimore, also downplayed his chances of signing with the Saints, telling Alexander, "I don't think they really need me, but it would be good to go back home and help them win."

Mathieu also said at the time that he's not looking to be the highest-paid safety in his third free-agency cycle, adding that he wants his family "to be comfortable." That said, heading to New Orleans makes a lot of sense for the Honey Badger. 

Former LSU and Cleveland Browns teammates Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry are still free agents after the close of the NFL draft on Saturday.

As far as potential landing spots go, Beckham's best spot would still appear to be the Los Angeles Rams, where he finished off last season. Landry's top spots look like the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.

Beckham told a Twitter user that he would re-sign with the Rams when they sent a "real offer."

It's clear that Rams general manager Les Snead wants Beckham back.

"He's someone that we definitely want back," Snead told reporters in March.

"A little bit more complex situation based on the injury. We envision it being similar but different circumstances to last year. When Odell is ready to play, we'd appreciate him being part of [the Rams]."

Tyler Dragon of USA Today reported April 8 that the Rams were still a possibility. Beckham is currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the Rams' Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals and isn't expected to be ready for Week 1, but he's recovering well and reportedly has multiple teams interested.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that OBJ was open to the possibility of returning to the Browns, where he spent 2019-2021.

However, Cabot said a return was unlikely, and that door appeared to slam when news broke that Beckham was selling his Columbia Station, Ohio, home that he bought right before his first game in Cleveland.

The Falcons selected USC wide receiver Drake London with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, but they did not select any other pass-catchers.

Atlanta still needs work at the position after losing Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage over the past two years, and Landry could be a starter alongside London.

ESPN's Dianna Russini reported in March that Landry would pay a visit to Atlanta.

As for the Saints, New Orleans has a pair of starting wideouts in Michael Thomas and now Chris Olave, who went No. 11 overall in the draft. Adding Landry to play the slot would give New Orleans one of the best wideout trios in the NFL. It's already pretty good with Tre'Quan Smith there right now, but Landry would be an upgrade.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Landry was set to visit the Saints on April 20.

In sum, Beckham and Landry are two of the best free agents on a long list of talented veterans remaining out there post-draft. Some clarity should come to light soon enough as depth charts take better shape.

The New Orleans Saints selected Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave with the No. 11 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Olave is coming off a strong senior season with the Buckeyes that saw him tally 65 receptions for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns in 11 games. He found the end zone at least once in nine different contests.

The 21-year-old California native showcased a consistent ability to score touchdowns during his time at OSU, putting up 35 scores in 38 appearances at the college level. That's the most TD receptions in the storied history of the program.

He'll look to carry that success to the NFL with the Saints. Here's a look at where he'll initially fit on the team's offensive depth chart:

WR 1: Michael Thomas

WR 2: Chris Olave

WR 3: Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith, Deonte Harris

Olave opted out of the Buckeyes' Rose Bowl clash with Utah on New Year's Day to begin his draft preparations, but he still traveled to the game to support his teammates.

"I feel like I'm still part of the team," he told reporters. "I didn't want to leave my guys. I just wanted to support them. I was a starting receiver. Just to be able to be there with them playing on the field. It was huge for them, it was huge for me. I'm a team-first guy. Just to be here and support them."

The 6'0'', 187-pound wideout features an NFL-ready skill set that should allow him to make a smooth transition to the next level. He's shown the ability to play either outside or in the slot, which should also help him get on the field right away as a rookie.

Bleacher Report's Nate Tice praised the receiver's route-running and ability to find soft spots in the coverage as part of his pre-draft scouting report:

Olave is a great route-runner with polish. He shows an understanding of not only the routes he runs but the concept that the offense is running and will tempo his routes accordingly.

Olave plays with balance and body control, which allows him to battle through contact and also attack defenders vertically before running by them or uncovering on a route. His understanding of space is on display when he's asked to run more 'advanced' routes and also during scramble drills, where he has to find unoccupied areas of the field.

Tice noted the one area where the two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection could improve is run blocking.

Olave has all the playmaking tools necessary to eventually become a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. His rise toward stardom in New Orleans may come via a steady incline rather than the direct leap enjoyed by someone like the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase last season, though.

At the outset, he'll handle work in three-wide sets alongside Michael Thomas and Marquez Callaway in the Saints passing game while trying to build a rapport with quarterback Jameis Winston.

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral will rack up the frequent flyer miles next week as he's reportedly scheduled to visit with five teams ahead of the 2022 NFL draft.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday that Corral is slated for meetings with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.

In a year without a consensus No. 1 quarterback prospect, interviews could play an important role in determining the order the top QBs come off the board when the draft gets underway April 28 in Las Vegas.

Corral is in a competition with Liberty's Malik Willis, Pitt's Kenny Pickett and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder to become the first QB selected.

The 23-year-old California native spent four years with the Rebels, including the past two seasons as the team's starting quarterback. He completed 67.3 percent of his throws for 8,287 yards with 57 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 37 games. He also rushed for 1,357 yards and 18 scores.

While his natural playmaking ability was evident at Ole Miss, there are questions about how he'll handle more complex NFL defensive schemes.

Bleacher Report's Nate Tice described Corral as a "single-read QB at this point in time" in his predraft scouting report.

"Played in an offensive system that heavily featured run-pass options and easier progressions," Tice wrote. "His ability to progress on true dropback concepts will be a question mark until proven otherwise."

That said, in a class where every quarterback has question marks, a coaching staff may see Corral's upside and take a chance on the 2021 All-SEC second team selection under the belief it can help him develop that aspect of his game.

None of his visits next week qualify as a surprise. All five of the teams mentioned have been heavily linked to the quarterback market, including the Eagles despite having Jalen Hurts on their roster.

The Panthers (No. 6 pick) and Falcons (No. 8) have the highest selections from the group, so a strong performance in those meetings could push Corral into the top-10 conversation.

Even if that doesn't come to fruition, the signal-caller should land somewhere in the opening round. He may be destined for a development year behind the likes of Jameis Winston with the Saints or Mitchell Trubisky with the Steelers, though.

That type of outcome could actually improve Corral's long-term outlook, since he won't be under pressure to perform right away.

Tyrann Mathieu has interest in playing with the New Orleans Saints but isn't sure how much help he can provide the team.

"The last couple years, they've been like top-five in defense," Mathieu told Wilson Alexander of the Advocate (h/t Kevin Patra of NFL.com). "I don't think they really need me, but it would be good to go back home and help them win."

New Orleans finished fourth in points allowed last season after ranking fifth in the category in 2020. The secondary still has holes after losing Malcolm Jenkins to retirement and Marcus Williams to free agency.

Mathieu visited the Saints facility this week while in New Orleans to see family and friends, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The veteran was born in Louisiana and played college football at LSU.

"It's a team I grew up watching," Mathieu said of the Saints. "Any time I get to play in front of family and friends, it obviously gives me more energy. It would be a great opportunity if that was to come."

The 29-year-old also said he has a "great relationship" with several players on the Saints, including Cam Jordan and Marcus Lattimore.

It could be a perfect fit for a team looking to get back to the playoffs after last year's disappointing 9-8 finish.

Mathieu is coming off an incredible three-year stretch with the Kansas City Chiefs when he earned two Pro Bowl selections, two first-team All-Pro honors and one Super Bowl title. He had 13 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns in this stretch.

The Saints did add Marcus Maye this offseason and might not need Mathieu, but he would certainly provide a boost in the secondary.      

Free-agent safety Tyrann Mathieu is reportedly set to visit with the New Orleans Saints.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it will mark Mathieu's first in-person visit this offseason, although signing with New Orleans is not imminent.

Mathieu, who is a New Orleans native and an LSU alumnus, is considered one of the best remaining free agents thanks to a resume that includes three Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro selections and one Super Bowl win.

For much of his nine-year NFL career, which includes stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, Mathieu has been considered one of the elite safeties in the league.

He made the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade Team for the 2010s despite not entering the league until 2013.

Mathieu's greatest success came during a three-year run in Kansas City from 2019 to 2021, which saw him win a Super Bowl and earn two Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections.

In 2020, Mathieu reeled in a career-high six interceptions. He followed that up last season with three picks. He also registered 76 tackles, which was one of the highest totals of his career.

Overall, Mathieu has appeared in 129 career regular-season games, recording 610 tackles, 26 interceptions, 76 passes defended and 10 sacks.

If Mathieu and the Saints reach an agreement, he would give New Orleans a much-needed veteran presence at safety in the wake of Malcolm Jenkins' retirement.

The Saints lost safety Marcus Williams to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency as well. New Orleans has been hard at work rebuilding its safety group, adding Marcus Maye and Justin Evans to a corps that also includes the returning Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and P.J. Williams.

While the Saints have solid depth at safety, Mathieu could still be a good fit, especially since he is a versatile player capable of moving all around the field and playing some cornerback in the slot or even outside.

Given that Williams and Gardner-Johnson are similar in that regard, bringing in another chess piece like Mathieu would give head coach Dennis Allen no shortage of options in terms of throwing different looks at opposing offenses.

The Philadelphia Eagles announced a trade with the New Orleans Saints on Monday involving eight draft picks:

The Eagles previously had three first-round picks for the 2022 NFL draft (15, 16, 19), but they are now left with No. 15 and No. 18 overall. The Saints now have the No. 16 and No. 19 overall picks in the first round.

Philadelphia stocks up for its future by adding a 2023 first-rounder and 2024 second-rounder as well as an extra third-round pick this year.

The 16th overall pick came from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for Carson Wentz.

This is the Eagles' second straight year with a major pre-draft swap. Last year, they landed a 2022 first-rounder (15th overall) from the Miami Dolphins while moving back from No. 6 to No. 12. They later traded back up to No. 10 to draft receiver DeVonta Smith.

Philadelphia still has two first-round picks in this year's draft and now has two first-rounders in 2023 as well.

Meanwhile, New Orleans is now poised to add another impact player in the first round of the 2022 draft. The Saints missed the playoffs for the first time in five years after finishing 9-8 last season, and head coach Sean Payton retired after the season.

With two top-20 picks, the organization can try to get back on track under new head coach Dennis Allen. 

This deal also helps the Saints keep their options open, as they now have additional premium draft capital to dangle for a potential quarterback of the future.      

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston is reportedly in line to be ready for training camp as he progresses through his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in late October.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the belief is Winston will be back on the field for training camp during the summer "if everything continues to go smoothly with his rehab."

On Monday, the Saints re-signed Winston to a two-year, $28 million contract with $21 million in guaranteed money, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

If Winston is indeed healthy and ready to go for training camp, he is expected to open the season as New Orleans' starter again, although it isn't a guarantee with Taysom Hill on the roster.

Winston served as Drew Brees' backup in 2020 after five years as a starter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans brought him back last season to succeed Brees.

Things went relatively well initially, as Winston went 5-2 in seven games as the starter, completing 59.0 percent of his passes for 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Winston was his typical up-and-down self, though, as he had games with five and four touchdown passes, but he also went just 11-of-22 for 111 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in a Week 2 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

One thing that potentially held Winston back was a lack of weapons, as No. 1 wide receiver Michael Thomas missed the entire 2021 campaign because of injury.

Thomas is expected back in 2022, but the Saints haven't brought in any other weapons in free agency, which suggests they may focus heavily on doing so during the draft.

When Winston was throwing to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in Tampa, he put up some impressive numbers, but also made his fair share of mistakes.

In 2019, Winston led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards and also threw 33 touchdown passes, but he also led the league with 30 interceptions.

If the Saints can get that version of Winston with significantly fewer interceptions, it would give them a chance to vie for a playoff spot in the NFC, as they only narrowly missed the playoffs last season with a 9-8 record.

It may seem strange given how explosive New Orleans' offense was for years with Brees at the controls, but the Saints' biggest strengths now are their defense and the running game spearheaded by Alvin Kamara.

The Saints simply need Winston or any other quarterback to play smart, consistent football, and he largely did that last season before getting injured.

Winston has the inside track on the starting job in 2022 if he is indeed healthy in time for training camp, but the Saints aren't necessarily married to him with Hill still on the roster and the possibility of drafting a quarterback in play.

The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers might be leading the field in the race to acquire Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on March 17 the Indianapolis Colts were among the teams on which Mayfield would want to land. However, the Colts have set their sights on Atlanta Falcons star Matt Ryan, per Rapoport:

The Browns' acquisition of Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans has all but sealed Mayfield's exit from Cleveland. Purely out of necessity, New Orleans and Carolina both make sense as landing spots. 

For the Saints, it's abundantly clear by now that Taysom Hill isn't a viable starting solution at quarterback. In addition, Ian Book was a disaster in his only start as a rookie, going 12-of-20 for 135 yards and two interceptions while getting sacked eight times.

The Sam Darnold experiment hasn't worked out for the Panthers. Following an encouraging start—he threw for 1,189 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in the first four weeks—the 24-year-old looked like the same quarterback he was with the New York Jets.

With Mayfield, the hope is that simply getting healthy will work wonders for him in 2022. He battled a lingering shoulder injury throughout the 2021 season, which adversely impacted his performance.

The 2018 No. 1 overall pick finished with 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2020, which aren't eye-popping numbers but were good enough to help get the Browns to the playoffs.

The risk with Mayfield is that Cleveland's pursuit of Watson could speak to how deep-seated the Browns' concerns were with their supposed franchise quarterback. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the team wanted to get "an adult" at QB, a comment that indicated the issues went beyond Mayfield's performance.

Mayfield is only under contract for one more season before he's eligible for free agency. The quarterback market has quickly dried up, and the incoming class of rookies isn't too promising.

For the teams that still need to address the position, a short-term bet on the 26-year-old would be worth it despite all of the question marks.

The New Orleans Saints have agreed to a contract with free safety Marcus Maye, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, it's a three-year, $28.5 million deal ($15 million guaranteed) for the 29-year-old Maye, who had 46 tackles and a pair of pass breakups for the New York Jets during a 2021 season that was limited to six games for him because of a torn Achilles.

Maye was due to become a free agent following the 2021 season after he received a one-year, $10.6 million franchise tender last March. General manager Joe Douglas indicated in May the Jets remained hopeful of striking a more extensive pact.

"It's still a priority to keep Marcus here long term," he said. "We have had productive texts back and forth with his agent. We're hoping to really dive into this now that the draft's over."

However, Maye is moving on to the Saints, who adds the former Jet to a secondary that just lost safety Marcus Williams in free agency to the Baltimore Ravens.

Maye's last full season was excellent. The 2017 second-round pick finished 2020 with 82 total tackles, 11 passes defended, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Entering 2021, PFF's Sam Monson listed Maye as the seventh-best safety in the NFL.

Maye's 2021 season was cut short, but if he returns to his 2020 form, then the Saints are getting a great safety who can help keep New Orleans among the top five defensive units in the league.