Travis Etienne ignites the Saints' offense. Discover how key free agency moves reshape New Orleans' draft plans and NFC South hopes.
The New Orleans Saints have made a splash in free agency through the first couple weeks of March. And while not everyone loves what they have done or the players they have lost, it's hard to say they have been idle in the early going.
In looking at their offseason, we have to start with the move that the team made at running back. Heading into March, many speculated the team would have to draft a running back, and maybe even as high as the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Not anymore.
The team adding 1,000-yard rusher in Travis Etienne to add much needed playmaking at running back. For a team that struggled but got hot toward the end of the season without much in the way of offensive explosiveness, Etienne adds that as a rusher and a receiver. With that New Orleans can pivot to drafting a wide receiver to go opposite current star Chris Olave or a defensive player with the No. 8 pick.
Throw in another underrated signing in tight end Noah Fant and the Saints look primed for an offensive breakout in 2026. In addition, the team added Kaden Ellis to a three-year, $33 million contract at linebacker to fill a need and David Edwards at guard for a four-year, $61 million contract.
So, running back is addressed and the draft strategy is simplified. That's a resounding win, right? Maybe not to everyone.
Along with the move comes some steep losses, though they might have been unexpected. The Saints lost linebacker Demario Davis to a two-year, $22 million contract with the New York Jets and cornerback Alontae Taylor to a three-year, $60 million contract with the Tennessee Titans.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) carries the ball as New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) and cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) defend in the first half at Caesars Superdome. Matthew Hinton-Imagn ImagesThe loss of Taylor stings, and certainly Demario Davis has made an impact in New Orleans, but all in all it's hard to find much fault with the Saints' offseason. Few if any expected the team to make the splash it did in signing Etienne, and they have done much more despite their difficult salary cap situation.
The loss of Davis is effectively neutralized with the addition of Ellis, and the loss of Taylor was unsurprising given how much money Taylor was expected to command in free agency.
With a good draft, the Saints are positioned well to compete for the NFC South in 2026. We'll see how the team's offseason moves shift their draft strategy in April.