Many free agents could be great fits on the Saints' roster, but New Orleans may never even get the chance to sign them.
During the franchise tag window, teams can bring back some of their players on franchise tags, which are 1-year, fully guaranteed deals. Usually, this tag is put on a player the team thinks will be leaving in free agency, wants back for one more year, or wants to work on a long-term deal later. Sometimes this move makes the player upset, leading to a trade or the player sitting out practice/games.
This offseason, the free agency window is already short on talent, but after franchise tags, it could get even worse. We already saw that the Dallas Cowboys plan to tag WR George Pickens.
When the window opens, more talented players will be taken off the market, including some players the New Orleans Saints would target.
RB Breece Hall
The first player, and arguably the most likely franchise tag candidate, is New York Jets RB Breece Hall. There are many reasons why the Jets would want him back. He is only 24, is a very talented RB, could still be a tradeable asset, and will help whatever QB the team decides to bring in. Hall is also likely to want to leave, so that might force the Jets to make this move.
Hall is one of the best RBs available in free agency, and for the Saints, he should be a top player to target. The offense is devoid of a solid running game. Hall has dealt with offensive line issues throughout his career and has overcome them; he fits the Saints' timeline and is extremely talented. Hopefully, the Jets do not bring him back, but that's not likely.
EDGE Odafe Oweh
By trading for Odafe Oweh at the deadline, the Los Angeles Chargers added a game-changing edge rusher to their roster. In the Chargers' one playoff game this year, that being against the New England Patriots, Oweh had three sacks. He is an important piece to this defense, and I doubt the Chargers ever let him leave. A franchise tag would be the direction they go if the team has some doubt about his long-term ability to maintain his sack production.
Edge rusher is still a massive need for the New Orleans Saints, and while the riught side of teh defensive line is set with Chase Young, the right side isn't. Oweh can play OLB on both sides, allowing him to sub in on the right if Young is on the sideline or start on the left, opposite Young. He struggles against the run, but for the Saints, his focus will be more on the pass rush (if he hits the market).