Grading Saints' First Free Agency Moves: New Orleans has no plans to rebuild in first year under new HC Kellen Moore

Salary cap be darned. For the New Orleans Saints, they haven't allowed their limited cap space to prevent them from making some important moves along their roster so far in free agency. 

Grading Saints' First Free Agency Moves

Now that the new league year has officially begun, we can go ahead and grade the Saints’ moves so far. Unless something completely unforeseen happens, these deals will go through as agreed upon during the legal tampering period.

Chase Young extension

This move was pretty expected, as Young really enjoyed playing in New Orleans last season. He loves the city and wanted to return. Ultimately, it was a mix of interest from the player and need from the organization. 

Bringing the pass rusher back helps the Saints' outlook early in the 2025 NFL Draft, too. They were often pegged as a spot for an edge in round one. Now, it seems more palpable that they could wait to address that position. 

Young was a consistent contributor in quarterback pressures a season ago. Hopefully in Brandon Staley's scheme, he and other rushers for New Orleans will finish plays with sacks a bit more often going forward. 

GRADE: B-

Juwan Johnson extension

This is the sole move by the Saints that I don't fully understand. Johnson has shown growth in recent seasons, but injuries have limited his availability at times. So far in his pro career, the tight end has never eclipsed 550 receiving yards in a season.

According to Jordan Schultz, the Saints plan to re-sign tight end Juwan Johnson to a three-year deal. The contract includes $30.75 million and maxes out at $34.5M.

With a solid TE draft class this offseason, I expected the Saints to potentially target one on day one or two. That would've been an intriguing influx of young receiving talent. We will see if Johnson lives up to his price tag on this deal. 

GRADE: D

Justin Reid signing

On the flip-side, this an awesome, necessary move from the Saints. This is another sign that they plan to continue building out a roster, headlined by veterans, to try to reclaim the NFC South title. 

Another safety alongside Tyrann Mathieu was arguably the biggest defensive need on the roster after they extended Chase Young off the edge. Reid will infuse the back end with more grit and energy, something they lacked at times under Dennis Allen a season ago. 

Reid's game is one of the most complete out there at his position. He can do it all - cover, defend the run, tackle, and he can even fill in certain placekicking/field goal duties if needed. He's also a helluva leader and teammate.With an aging Tyrann Mathieu on the roster, Reid will not only add physicality and playmaking ability to the Saints secondary, but at 28, he'll inject some youth, as well. For $10.5 million per year, that's a steal.

-- A to Z Sports

GRADE: A-

Davon Godchaux trade

Nose tackle was a notable need for the Saints, particularly after inheriting a new defensive scheme under Brandon Staley. Khalen Saunders can play that role, but Godchaux provides a bit more upside as a run stuffer inside. He's no Pro Bowler but can give them starting reps alongside Bryan Bresee inside at times. 

For just a late day three pick, this was solid value for New Orleans. Smart move. 

The Saints have agreed to send a 2026 seventh-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for DT Davon Godchaux, according to Adam Schefter.

GRADE: B

There's clearly no plan to fully rebuild this team under new HC Kellen Moore. New Orleans is, once again, embracing a type of "reload" mantra for their roster, and that should be no surprise with Mickey Loomis at the helm.

All in all, it has been a productive start to free agency for the Saints. They still have roster holes that need managing, but I expect more additions on the horizon to provide depth on both their offense and defense in the coming days.