3 Free Agents the Saints Need to Sign to Make a Super Bowl Run Next Season

In the season following legendary quarterback Drew Brees' retirement, the New Orleans Saints couldn't get it done in 2021. They finished the campaign with a 9-8 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Now, the offseason is here and Dennis Allen is the new head coach following Sean Payton's own retirement. Management will turn to free agency as one of the means to give Allen the best opportunity to succeed in the 2022 NFL season and potentially challenge for a championship.

Here's a look at three free agents that the Saints need to sign to make a Super Bowl run next season.

Saints Free Agent Targets

1. Jameis Winston, Quarterback

If the Saints want to compete for a Super Bowl, they need a No. 1 quarterback. Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill aren't the answer for that issue, which is why New Orleans may want to give Jameis Winston another shot. The 28-year-old gunslinger looked great in seven starts before tearing his ACL, throwing for 1,170 passing yards and 14 touchdowns to just three interceptions. If he can get back to full health, there's no reason he can't pick up from where he left off. Plus he'll likely have two-time All-Pro wideout Michael Thomas back at his disposal. Considering how there aren't any viable options on the market, the Saints should consider bringing Winston back via free agency.

2. A.J. Green, Wide Receiver

Even if Thomas makes a full recovery, the Saints could use another reliable wide receiver. After all, none of the options from last year had remarkable performances. That's why New Orleans should take a swing on a veteran wideout like A.J. Green. He may not be the 1,000-yard performer that he once was, but he's coming off a season that saw him record 54 receptions, 848 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games with the Arizona Cardinals. Being an older player also means that the Saints could potentially get him on a cheaper deal if he thinks they have a shot at winning Super Bowl LVII.

3. O.J. Howard, Tight End

In addition to another wide receiver, the Saints could also use another tight end. They already have three under contract for 2022, however, Nick Vannett is a better blocker than he is a playmaker, while the other options aren't exactly noteworthy. Meanwhile, veteran TE O.J. Howard is an option worth exploring. While he didn't produce much over the last two years, he has experience with Winston throwing him the ball when they played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Howard has 72 receptions, 1,062 yards and eight touchdowns in 30 games with Winston throwing him the ball and that chemistry could help the Saints succeed next season. Plus with Howard handling the pass-catching duties, Vannett can solely focus on blocking again, which should immediately improve New Orleans' offense.

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Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.