New Orleans Saints: 5 potential free agency targets

Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) carries the ball past Green Bay Packers cornerback

(31) in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. New Orleans defeated Green Bay 44-23. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Ingram, Running Back

Mark Ingram needs to be the New Orleans Saints’ number one priority this offseason after the season that he is coming off of. He was an absolute star for the Saints despite missing the playoffs, and was exactly the type of running back that the Saints need alongside of Drew Brees.

During the 2014 season, Ingram totaled 226 carries that went for 964 yards and nine touchdowns.

At 25 years old, there are a lot of teams that are going to have interest in signing Ingram. Now that he has proven himself to be a very capable running back, he has put himself in a position to get a major payday. New Orleans is going to have a lot of competition when free agency opens, but they can’t afford to let him walk after how important he was for them last year.

It will be very interesting to see what type of money Ingram is wanting in free agency, but he is very deserving of a fairly high deal. The Saints have to figure out a way to get something done, and they have to be willing to pay to bring him back.

Next: A.J. Hawk, Linebacker