NEW ORLEANS -- NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts.
The new league year began on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agent signings can now be made official. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN. Here's a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the New Orleans Saints and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Chase Young, DE
New Orleans and former San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young agreed to a one-year, fully guaranteed $13 million deal on Monday.
What it means: The Saints have been in desperate need of pass-rush help and didn't find it last year in Payton Turner or Isaiah Foskey. Young would likely be put into the rotation immediately next to Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson, possibly leaving only limited roles for Foskey or Turner depending on how Jordan is used in 2024. This signing shows that the Saints felt they needed to go outside the building to improve their 28th-ranked pass rush.
What's the risk: Young's fully guaranteed deal could be a hefty price to pay for a pass-rusher whose best season was 7.5 sacks as a rookie in 2020. But pass-rushers don't come cheap in free agency, and this could take some of the load off the 34-year-old Jordan, who was still taking a majority of the snaps despite playing through injury. The addition of the No. 2 pick from the 2020 draft will give the Saints more flexibility with their rotation.
Olisaemeka Udoh, OT
New Orleans and offensive tackle Olisaemeka Udoh agreed to a one-year deal.
What it means: The Saints needed to add a player with position flexibility, and Udoh started 16 games at guard in 2021. Udoh entered 2023 as a backup left tackle for the Minnesota Vikings before an injury ended his season. New Orleans has made similar signings in the past, moving veteran James Hurst around. They have a lot of questions at tackle in particular due to Ryan Ramczyk's knee issues and Andrus Peat reportedly visiting the Titans.
What's the risk: It depends how they view him. Udoh makes sense as a position-flexible backup but is still recovering from the season-ending quad injury and has already changed positions while in Minnesota. An intention to sign him as a starter at left tackle is different from a moveable piece. The Saints still want to give former first-round pick Trevor Penning a chance at tackle after he was benched last season, but they don't have any sure thing at that position at the moment.
Ugo Amadi, S
New Orleans re-signed safety Ugo Amadi to a one-year deal.
What it means: It makes sense the Saints would want to keep one of their own free agents after the departure of Isaac Yiadom and Lonnie Johnson Jr. Amadi will add to the depth in the defensive backs room and will likely participate on special teams again. The Saints will have to continue building depth, especially if they don't re-sign free agent Johnathan Abram.
What's the risk: None. Amadi was a solid reserve addition, playing 83 snaps but also participating on special teams. Amadi has experience as a journeyman defensive back playing three seasons with the Seahawks from 2019 to 2021.He was also with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans in 2022. The Saints have only a few safeties on the roster with Marcus Maye gone, so they need depth.
Khaleke Hudson, LB
New Orleans signed former Washington Commanders linebacker Khaleke Hudson.
What it means: The four-year veteran was mostly a special teams player during his time with the Commanders, but had his most significant role as a rotational defensive player in 2023. He played in eight games with 74 tackles and two pass deflections this past season. Now the question is whether he can continue to develop on defense.
What's the risk: None. This is the time of the year that the Saints will fill out the bottom of their roster with low-risk signings, particularly those who can contribute on special teams. The Saints have lost some linebackers that played those roles over the last two years, like Kaden Elliss and Zack Baun, so they'll try to replenish that position.
Johnathan Abram, S
New Orleans and Johnathan Abram agreed to a one-year deal.
What it means: Abram stepped up when asked to start in the final two games of the season, particularly against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game in which he had an interception, fumble recovery and pass breakup. Abram's end to the season likely aided in the Saints wanting him back for next season. He has the possibility of a bigger role this season with Marcus Maye's departure.
What's the risk: None. Abram joined the Saints as a practice squad player last year and worked his way into a reserve role, playing on both special teams and defense. The Abram signing was a good one for the Saints in 2023 and it makes sense to bring him back again in 2024, especially on a one-year deal.
Stanley Morgan, WR
New Orleans agreed to a one-year deal with former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Stanley Morgan on Friday.
What it means: The New Orleans native who went to to St. Augustine returns home, likely to help the Saints out on their special teams units. Morgan will likely be a depth addition to a WR room that just added Wilson Jr.
What's the risk: None, the Saints will be adding a lot of wideouts over the next few months to compete for spots at camp, and if it's a minimum deal, it's no risk for them to try to find missing pieces on their special teams units and in their wide receiver room.
Cedrick Wilson Jr., WR
New Orleans and former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. agreed to a two-year deal.
What it means: The 28-year-old is a five-year veteran, most recently with the Dolphins. He started three games for the Dolphins last year with 22 catches and three touchdowns. With Michael Thomas gone, Wilson has an opportunity to compete for a spot.
What's the risk: It depends on the guaranteed money, but the Saints needed some veteran voices in a very young wide receiver room. They'll likely be signing several players to compete with only three WRs on the roster, all of whom are 25 or younger. It makes sense to add an experienced voice to the mix.
Nathan Peterman, QB
New Orleans plans to sign QB Nathan Peterman to a one-year deal.
What it means: The Saints needed another veteran quarterback on the roster with the departure of Jameis Winston, who signed with the Browns. Peterman worked with new Saints quarterback coach Andrew Janocko, and he'll be another voice in a room that includes starting quarterback Derek Carr and second-year quarterback Jake Haener, who was a fourth-round pick in 2023.
What's the risk: None. The Saints like to have at least three quarterbacks going into training camp, and bringing in a veteran backup for Carr makes sense for now. Peterman has been in the league since 2017 and has more experience than Haener, so there's no risk in bringing in another player on a non-guaranteed deal.
Willie Gay, LB
New Orleans and former Kansas City Chiefs free agent linebacker Willie Gay agreed to a one-year deal on Tuesday.
What it means: The Saints need linebacker depth with just three on the roster, and Gay played significant snaps as a starter in the Chiefs' Super Bowl win against the San Francisco 49ers. They've had a lot of success going to the well of former Kansas City players, signing Tyrann Mathieu, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Khalen Saunders, so it makes sense to add another one to the roster. Gay could quickly be a solid addition next to Demario Davis and Pete Werner.
What's the risk: Not much. One-year deals don't have lasting cap hits for the Saints, and Gay is only 26 with potential to play for a second contract. Gay missed the Super Bowl during the 2021 season with an injury, and was suspended four games in 2022 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy due to an arrest for misdemeanor criminal destruction of property. However, he played the entire season for the Chiefs last year and has started 47 games in his career.