Saints Will Have Crucial Questions to Answer at Safety During Free Agency

Whitehead has been part of a stellar Tampa Bay defense for the last two seasons. A versatile ballhawk, Whitehead has caused nine turnovers over the last three years, including 2 interceptions in 2021. He also broke up eight passes and recorded seven tackles for loss last season.

A New Orleans native and LSU product, Mathieu is the most popular option for Saints fans. He's a rangy playmaker with the versatility that New Orleans coach Dennis Allen covets in his defenders. Mathieu has forced 30 turnovers over his nine-year career, including 26 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.

There were nine safeties selected in the first two rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft. Maye was chosen three picks before the Saints drafted Marcus Williams at Number 42 overall. More of a traditional deep safety, like Williams, Maye missed the last half of 2021 with a torn Achilles. Prior to that, he had six interceptions and 4 forced fumbles over his first four seasons.

A converted cornerback, Quandre Diggs earned his second straight Pro Bowl bid before suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle in the season finale. On track to be recovered by training camp, Diggs has 10 interceptions and 17 passes broken up over the last two seasons.

Listed as a strong safety, Jaquiski Tartt is another defender with invaluable versatility. His importance to a strong San Francisco defense didn't always stand out in the box score, he had no interceptions and just one pass broken up last year. However, Tartt was a disruptive chess piece all over the field.

Reid has had an up-and-down career with Houston, but is a playmaker responsible for 12 turnovers over four years. He also has the versatility to supply deep support or step up into a slot coverage role.

The elder statesman of the free-agent safeties, McCourty showed he can still play at a high level in 2021. He had 3 interceptions and 10 passes broken up last year and has 31 interceptions over his decorated 12-year career.

Gipson is another accomplished veteran who could be on the move. His range isn't what it once was, but his experience often puts him in position to make plays. Gipson has 27 interceptions over his 10-year career and may be agreeable to a cheap deal.

Tracy Walker is an up-and-comer who would be an underrated addition to any defense. A natural free safety, Walker played collegiately at Louisiana and combines good vision and size to make up for average athleticism.

Anthony Harris led the league with 7 interceptions in 2019, but has just one pick in his 31 games since. Still, Harris is a proven playmaker on the back end with the coverage skills to take on tight ends.

Even if the Saints lose Marcus Williams, P.J. would be a solid fallback option for the team. Mathieu would make plays in this defense, but he’s more suited to a roaming role similar to the way New Orleans uses Gardner-Johnson and Jenkins.

Players like Maye or Diggs would provide a seamless transition from Marcus Williams. However, each come with injury concerns and would be likely to command a salary similar to Williams.

Remember that Jenkins has also lost a step in coverage and the Saints may also want to get more athletic here.

Mathieu would be a terrific answer. The more likely scenario would seem to be targeting a player like Whitehead, Tartt, or Walker. Any of the three checks off multiple boxes for the Saints secondary if they lose two safeties, while giving them flexibility in the draft. 

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