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Free Agency news and rumors; tampering period opens March 9 (Etienne -> Saints?)

Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:34 am
Posted by Proximo
Member since Aug 2011
23129 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:34 am
This post was edited on 3/3/26 at 6:37 am
Posted by Midget Death Squad
Meme Magic
Member since Oct 2008
28412 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:55 am to
This would certainly take Love off the draft board. Etienne never seemed to dominate the position, but he’s been very productive. Do we want to pay a premium for a productive player, or draft a dominant one?

Personally I guess it all depends on what TE’s price tag is. If it’s reasonable and doable, then yeah sign him and take a defensive stud at 8
Posted by Suntiger
STG or BR or somewhere else
Member since Feb 2007
35961 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 7:58 am to
Hasn’t Etienne had injury issues in the past?
Posted by St Augustine
The Pauper of the Surf
Member since Mar 2006
71713 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 8:01 am to
His first year he completely missed I believe with a lisfranc. He was beat up in 2024.
This post was edited on 3/3/26 at 8:05 am
Posted by bonethug0180
Avondale
Member since Jul 2018
5172 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 8:05 am to
It definitely wouldn't take Love off the draft board, but it makes him slightly less appealing to take if comparable or better players are available.

You always want 2 good backs, and even if Kamara stays this year he probably doesn't have much left beyond this one. Having 2 good backs heading into Shough's final rookie years will be important (but not more important than things like a good line and pass rush).

But I've also already stated on how great Love needs to be if you take that swing, because the positional value can crush you if you are wrong.
Posted by Dantheman504
N/A
Member since Jun 2013
6143 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 8:28 am to
quote:

It definitely wouldn't take Love off the draft board,

We aren't spending $8-$12mil on Etienne and drafting Love lol. It would definitely take Love off the board if we sign Etienne.

$10-$12mil is almost a whole arse starting OG. At that point spend $15-$16 on a 2nd OG and draft Love.
This post was edited on 3/3/26 at 9:06 am
Posted by St Augustine
The Pauper of the Surf
Member since Mar 2006
71713 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 8:45 am to
One of the more interesting things about drafting love potentially is the unquantifiable benefit having a player of his caliber has on the development of Shough. I wonder how much that kind of benefit impacts potentially taking a player like him in the eyes of the coaching staff.
This post was edited on 3/3/26 at 9:05 am
Posted by suavecito80
Member since Apr 2014
3276 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:11 am to
This works for me. I don't want them to draft a RB with that high of a pick, Estime went over a 100 yards against the bucs with a poop oline. Either draft a WR or the best pass rusher available. We have seen the past two years you can win a super bowl with an average QB (hurts and darnold are mid as can be to me) even when they have bad games a good defense can keep you in it.
Posted by jkylejohnson
Louisiana
Member since Dec 2016
14693 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:15 am to
I just don’t see this going down . I feel like you can draft an Etienne in the mid rounds of the draft. I can’t see us using precious cap space on a highish $ RB right now.
Posted by Townedrunkard
Member since Jan 2019
14485 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:19 am to
quote:

Either draft a WR or the best pass rusher available


This is the way. One of the edge guys or Styles and if all of them are gone, get Tate.
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
177431 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:22 am to
quote:


This is the way. One of the edge guys or Styles and if all of them are gone, get Tate.



so what is tate, would he be our z? Isn't vele our z? Isn't Olave our X? Why do i feel like even drafting tate, we're missing a true slot guy still?
Posted by Weekend Warrior79
Member since Aug 2014
21264 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:31 am to
Now that the rumor is out there, I am looking forward to the posts about how the team sucks, and we can't afford anyone because of cap mismanagement if Etienne signs elsewhere.

And, if they do manage to sign him, how the team overpaid because no one else really wanted him
Posted by whodatfan
Member since Mar 2008
22032 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:45 am to
quote:

Isn't vele our z? Isn't Olave our X?


Olave was balling out and that Vele/Shough connection was getting down right nasty.
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
177431 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:47 am to
Seems like we can just add a Zachariah Branch or an Aaron Anderson or something along those lines. This is assuming that Olave is extended to be a saint past this year. IF saints have plans to move on from olave then that's another discussion. But i don't think they plan to do so.
Posted by Dantheman504
N/A
Member since Jun 2013
6143 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:51 am to
quote:

Olave was balling out and that Vele/Shough connection was getting down right nasty.

We just need a TE2, WR3, and a RB1

If Polk/ Shough have a connection then he can be serviceable as a #3 and Tipton as a #4. But if we can bump them to #4-#5 or atleast have a competition at #3 then we are good.

That would give us 6 weapons with an upgraded OL. Should be plenty.

Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
177431 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:01 am to
quote:

If Polk


And Bub Means 2 guys we had but didn't have last year.
Posted by RawDog7984
Member since Oct 2019
2376 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:04 am to
Olave needs to play more in the slot imo.
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
75494 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:05 am to
You sure you want more concussions.
Posted by whodatfan
Member since Mar 2008
22032 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:09 am to
quote:


Olave needs to play more in the slot imo.


ummm, no
Posted by GynoSandberg
Bay St Louis, MS
Member since Jan 2006
74209 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:12 am to
Polk, means, Palmer can be depth but you’re in trouble if they’re in your top 3. A third WR to play next to Olave and Vele isn’t on this roster yet. And Olave and Vele aren’t exactly pillars of health. Wouldn’t be shocked if they get a vet FA and take a guy at 42
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