NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

New Orleans Saints: Why Ladarius Green would be a dream signing

By Kevin Parvizi

Sep 21, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Ladarius Green (89) runs after a catch as Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Preston Brown (52) pursues during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Chargers beat the Bills 22-10. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Ladarius Green (89) runs after a catch as Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Preston Brown (52) pursues during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Chargers beat the Bills 22-10. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Although the New Orleans Saints have cap issues (again), it doesn’t mean they are barred from making a free agent signing with the salary cap rising to “at least” $155 million, as per the NFL Network’s Rand Getlin. The Saints could have an ace up their sleeve, and that ace could be San Diego Chargers tight end Ladarius Green.

I would be a fan of the New Orleans Saints bringing back Ben Watson on a cheap, one-year deal, since he is coming off of an outstanding season and has shown no signs of old age. If Watson is interested in playing another season (he is in tip-top shape, after all), then the Saints have every reason to keep him around.

Related Story: Who is the best NFL player from your state?

But let’s say things don’t work out that way, and the Saints find themselves with some extra cash in hand and a desire to give Drew Brees another dynamic pass-catcher. Willie Snead‘s emergence as a legit No. 2, along with Watson’s quality season at tight end, helped the legendary QB lead the league in passing yards and finish as one of six QBs with a passer rating of at least triple digits.

More from NFL Spin Zone

There’s no doubt that the Saints biggest needs are on the defensive side of the ball, which is why just about everyone has them taking a pass rusher, linebacker, or defensive tackle with the 12th overall pick (or cornerback Mackensie Alexander).

It’s hard to see the Saints spending much time on the offensive side of the ball in the draft, since they need to stock that defense up with young playmakers. A late-round receiver or a mid-round guard could do them well, but if the Saints want to give Brees a dynamic weapon, their best bet will be to pounce on a free agent.

So if that’s the direction the Saints want to go in, then San Diego Chargers No. 2 tight end Ladarius Green would make plenty of sense as a “dream” target. Notice that I am calling him a “dream” catch, meaning that I understand the chances of them landing a young, well-rounded, uber-athletic TE on the free agent market is slim, specifically since his price tag will be high due to the premium placed on high-caliber pass-catching tight ends.

As far as dream signings go, Green is a great one to ponder, because we are talking about a 25-year-old tight end who is just itching for a true breakout season. I think the chances of him hitting the free agent market are high, since I’m not sure he wants to stay in San Diego and sit behind fellow impending free agent Antonio Gates. The future Hall of Famer is close to retirement, but the smart money is on him playing another season with the Chargers, especially since he’s still going strong at the age of 35.

Meanwhile, Green was targeted just 63 times despite appearing in two more games than Gates, and I’m sure he feels more than a little bit log-jammed on the Chargers roster.

Green’s price tag shouldn’t skyrocket out of the Saints budget, since he’s more of an “upside” signing than anything else. Yes, he has put up some solid numbers, but he failed to catch 60% of his targets from the highly accurate Philip Rivers last season. Of course, Green never got a chance to get into a rhythm with the Chargers offense and had to deal with a less-than-ideal situation on a sagging team, further re-enforcing my belief that a change of scenery is best for the young gun.

We all know how good Sean Payton, Brees, and the Saints are at getting athletic tight ends involved, and Green would be a big upgrade over Watson in the explosiveness department, even if the veteran tight end is no plodder himself. Green could bring an extra “kick” to the Saints offense, and that could help Brandin Cooks make even more big plays next year, since defenses are sure to focus on Snead more often.

Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to throw against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to throw against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Since Green tried to play through an ankle injury last season, I don’t think we should draw any conclusions out of his 2015 campaign, particularly because the Chargers offense was so out of whack. The Saints offense offers far more stability, namely because they actually have certainty in the backfield with star Mark Ingram leading the way as a three-down workhorse.

More nfl spin zone: Who are the greatest QBs in NFL history?

The Saints should have enough money to go after a player like Green in free agency, and while I would expect him to have a market if he’s available, I can’t see him making more than $6 million per season. It’s hard to gauge how much a tight end will get, especially a young one without a proven track record but with hyped-up potential, but I think a player like Green would be extremely valuable to New Orleans, and he should love the idea of playing with Brees, Cooks, and the Saints offense.

Home/New Orleans Saints