The Saints do not plan to re-sign free agent defensive back Kenny Vaccaro, sources tell Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com.
Vaccaro is wrapping up his rookie contract (which included an exercised fifth-year option) with the Saints, and he’ll be an interesting free agent given that he has the ability to play both safety and slot cornerback. The 27-year-old graded as one of the NFL’s best run-defending defensive backs in 2017, but ranked as the single-worst coverage safety in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
Despite that lack of production, it’s still possible Vaccaro meets a solid market given his first-round pedigree and positional versatility. The Cowboys, speculatively, could have interest given that they reportedly attempted to trade for Vaccaro last season. On the open market, Vaccaro will join a list of safeties that includes Lamarcus Joyner, Eric Reid, and Morgan Burnett, while available slot corners include Nickell Robey-Coleman, Aaron Colvin, and Patrick Robinson.
The Saints, for their part, have drafted two safeties — Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams — in the past two years, so their need to retain Vaccaro is lessened. New Orleans is also hoping to get a number of cornerbacks healthy in 2018, so Vacarro wouldn’t have been required in the slot.
With the way defensive football is played today, I think Kenny V. would be an interesting pick up as an OLB, into the boundary. Having watched him these last 5 years, he can’t cover in a man scheme against slots or good TE, but can cover the flat in a zone scheme, is better than average against the run, and seems to be a smart player.
Let’s trade for earl Thomas and bobby Wagner
Yeah a couple 3rds and a fourth ought to do.