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Emmanuel Sanders another big free agency splash from Saints

By Rebecca Mills

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 8: Emmanuel Sanders #17 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after making a reception during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 8, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 49ers defeated the Saints 48-46. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 8: Emmanuel Sanders #17 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after making a reception during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 8, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 49ers defeated the Saints 48-46. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
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While the Saints haven’t always made waves in NFL free agency, that’s changed this year and signing Emmanuel Sanders is the latest example of that.

In recent years, the  New Orleans Saints have been a team that goes through NFL free agency content to work on a budget and not make big waves. Considering how well they’ve performed, it proves, for them, the strategy is a success. In the 2020 offseason, however, the Saints have changed things up.

The first big-time signing New Orleans made was to ink safety Malcolm Jenkins to a four-year deal. Bringing him back to the Saints after a long stint with the Eagles, Jenkins could provide a big-time veteran presence. But this wasn’t a one-and-done instance for this team in terms of making a splash in free agency.

Rather than reach out into the open market again, the Saints made another big splash by re-signing one of their own veteran contributors. Offensive lineman Andrus Peat agreed to a lucrative five-year, $57.5 million contract with $33 million guaranteed. Peat was one of, if not the best linemen left in free agency, so inking him and retaining continuity in the trenches is highly important for New Orleans.

While many would have believed that the Saints were done after two sizeable deals, they weren’t. They still had one more big-time move to make in free agency to try and get their offense, after Drew Brees signed a two-year deal this offseason and will return to New Orleans, another big-time weapon to help them try to make a Super Bowl run.

That player, who they inked on Friday night, was wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Sanders, who turned 33 years old this week, signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Saints and will come in as a huge weapon for the wide receiver corps.

Wide receiver was one of the needs many people highlighted for New Orleans this offseason, though most people had the team taking one in the draft. Simply put, they need more reliable weapons in the passing game to complement Michael Thomas and make life easier for Brees. That’s exactly what Sanders brings to the table.

Even in his mid-30s now, the newest addition to the Saints offense has proven to be an explosive and talented playmaker out of the slot. While he’s not going to wow anyone with raw traits at this point, the totality of his presence on the field makes him the perfect addition for New Orleans.

In the 2019 offseason, the Saints weren’t active in free agency but made some low-key signings that were able to have a strong impact on the season. The hope is that changing the strategy won’t change the effects. Emmanuel Sanders is another addition that makes a big splash for New Orleans and makes them even more dangerous.

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