This offseason, I took control of the New Orleans Saints in GM Mode on StickToTheModel with a focus on managing the cap, keeping key veterans, and adding young talent through the draft.
Here’s how the offseason played out.
The Big Picture
• Starting Cap Space: $20.0M
• Final Cap Space: $0.4M
• Contracts Restructured: 3
• Extensions: 1
• Free Agents Signed: 4
• Draft Picks: 12
• Overall Grade: B-
The Saints stayed aggressive despite tight cap constraints, using restructures and targeted signings to stay competitive.
Restructures
Three contracts were reworked to create cap flexibility.
• Erik McCoy (+$4.0M)
• Cesar Ruiz (+$3.5M)
• Pete Werner (+$2.1M)
These moves helped the Saints stay active in free agency while managing a tight cap situation.
Extension
Chris Olave
New Orleans extended Olave to secure one of their most important offensive weapons for the future.
Free Agency
The Saints focused on reinforcing both the offensive line and the defense in free agency.
David Edwards — IOL
2yr / $9.6M APY
Demario Davis — LB (Resigning)
1yr / $8.6M APY
Asante Samuel Jr. — CB
1yr / $8.3M APY
Cameron Jordan — EDGE (Resigning)
1yr / $6.7M APY
These additions added veteran leadership while strengthening multiple defensive positions.
Draft Class
New Orleans added a large 12-player class focused on both offense and defense.
Round 1 — Pick 13
Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
Round 2 — Pick 42
Christen Miller (DL, Georgia)
Round 2 — Pick 61
Joshua Josephs (EDGE, Tennessee)
Round 3 — Pick 72
Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
Round 3 — Pick 84
Emmett Johnson (RB, Nebraska)
Round 4 — Pick 120
Jack Endries (TE, Texas)
Round 4 — Pick 136
Taurean York (ILB, Texas A&M)
Round 5 — Pick 144
Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina)
Round 5 — Pick 149
Caden Curry (EDGE, Ohio State)
Round 5 — Pick 171
Markel Bell (OT, Miami)
Round 6 — Pick 186
DJ Campbell (OG, Texas)
Round 6 — Pick 190
Aaron Anderson (WRS, LSU)
Final Take
The Saints managed to navigate a tight cap situation while still improving the roster. Strategic restructures, veteran signings, and a deep draft class helped keep New Orleans competitive moving forward.
Run Your Own NFL Offseason
I built this roster using GM Mode on StickToTheModel, where you can run your own NFL team, manage the salary cap, make trades, sign free agents, and run the draft.
Try it yourself here:
https://sticktothemodel.com/
