New Orleans Saints: With Cameron Jordan paid, who’s next?
The New Orleans Saints finally locked down Cameron Jordan as we all hoped. With Jordan getting a big extension, who will the Saints lock down next?
The New Orleans Saints have a talented roster and they’ve worked to keep that group intact. The team signed Drew Brees to a new deal this offseason and most recently, gave Cameron Jordan a mega-extension. Both are veterans and have earned new contracts along with more money.
Brees and Jordan represent a small portion of the team, though. Most of the Saints roster is made up of younger guys. Whether it be rookies or guys who are in their second or third years, the Saints are eventually going to end up writing some big checks. Of all the players currently on the roster though, who will the Saints end up paying next?
With Mark Ingram gone, it opens the door for Alvin Kamara. Kamara has been with the team since 2017 and is now their lead running back. As important as Kamara is for the offense, his deal isn’t up until after the 2020 season. It’s likely we won’t see a new deal for him until next offseason at the earliest. It’s similarly premature for the likes of Marshon Lattimore and Ryan Ramczyk.
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As talented as the 2017 Saints’ draft class was, they haven’t really earned big contracts just yet. Moving back a little bit, the Saints did put together an impressive 2016 draft class. Their 2016 class has arguably already made their mark and showed that they deserve to be paid. With such a talented draft class, it’s tough to pick just one guy who will get it above them all.
In 2016, the Saints used their first-round pick on defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins. Rankins has put together an impressive résumé in his three-year career. At age 25, Rankins has become a core piece in the Saints defense and helped shift the narrative. Unfortunately, Rankins was injured during the postseason and likely won’t play until midseason in 2019. That also means that the Saints are going to be reluctant on paying him yet until they see he’s back to his old self.
Keeping with defense, the Saints selected safety Vonn Bell in the third round. Similar to Rankins, Bell also made an impact on the defense. Bell has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best in the league but hasn’t always made those big plays. Most notably, Bell hasn’t caught an interception his career yet, his specialty at Ohio State. That’s probably why the Saints aren’t willing to pay his just yet.
There is one name that is missing from the 2016 class and that’s wide receiver Michael Thomas. With how impressive Thomas is, it’s hard to believe he was picked in the second round. Thomas has shattered any and all expectations everyone had for him. He’s become Drew Brees’ favorite target, the team’s No. 1 receiver and their biggest offensive weapon. Coupled with his impressive stats, Thomas has become everything the Saints were looking for and more.
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Of all the players in the 2016 draft class, Thomas has earned a huge contract. The Saints truly got him for a steal and it’s time for them to pay up. More than likely, Thomas will get a new deal next year. Until then, there’s no doubt he’s going to put together another monster year and maybe even hold up the Lombardi Trophy. As Saints fans, we can only hope!