New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/17/18

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Titans Claim OT John Theus

John Theus has found a new home. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the offensive tackle has been claimed off waivers by the Titans. The 24-year-old was waived by the Saints yesterday. To make room on the roster, the Titans have waived/injured defensive lineman Antwaun Woods (via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com).

The 2016 fifth-round pick out of Georgia has bounced around the league since joining the NFL, spending time with the 49ers, Panthers, and Saints. He has appeared in four career games (including a single start), but he didn’t see the field during the 2017 campaign. The offensive lineman landed on New Orleans’ injured reserve earlier this month with an undisclosed illness.

Theus will likely have an uphill battle to make the Titans roster, as the organization is already rostering a number of capable tackles. Behind projected starters Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin (who could miss time with a knee ailment), Kevin Pamphile, Corey Levin, Dennis Kelly, and Tyler Marz are all competing for playing time.

Woods, a 2016 undrafted free agent out of USC, has spent his entire career with the Titans organization. The 25-year-old appeared in one game during his rookie campaign, compiling three tackles.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/16/18

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: DE Patrick Afriyie, WR Justice Liggins, WR Nelson Spruce

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

Tennessee Titans

Saints’ Kikaha Switches To Drew Rosenhaus

On the cusp of his contract year, Saints outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha has switched agencies. Kikaha is now represented by power agent Drew Rosenhaus (Twitter link). 

Injuries have held Kikaha back over the course of his three-year NFL tenure. The second-round pick out of Washington missed all of 2016 with a torn ACL. Then, last year, he missed four games due to injury, including the final two weeks after suffering an ankle injury. An ankle malady also interrupted his otherwise productive rookie season.

The Saints shopped Kikaha before the 2017 trade deadline, likely in an effort to recoup the draft capital spent on moving up for running back Alvin Kamara. We haven’t heard much on that front this offseason, but Kikaha is thinking about his future beyond 2018 either way.

Last year, Kikaha had four sacks and ten total tackles as a reserve. He saw time on just 209 snaps in total and is likely itching to show what he can do in a larger sample. The Saints project to start Craig Robertson and free agent addition Demario Davis on the strongside and weakside, respectively, putting Kikaha and Manti Te’o in line for bench roles.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/18

Today’s minor moves (so far):

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

  • Signed: DE Da’Sean Downey

Buffalo Bills

  • Signed: FB Zach Olstad
  • Waived/Injured: RB Aaron Green

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed: WR Bug Howard, C Kyle Friend, T/G Quinterrius Eatmon, DE Karter Schult
  • Waived/Injured: CB Zack Sanchez

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

  • Signed: WR Deontez Alexander, TE Marcus Lucas, CB Josh Okonye
  • Waived: WR Kyle Lewis
  • Waived/Injured: TE Brandon Barnes

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

  • Signed: QB Luis Perez 

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: WR/KR Tim Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: TE Clayton Wilson

Washington Redskins

Adrian Peterson Open To Saints Reunion

Things didn’t work out so well for Adrian Peterson and the Saints last year, but the running back is willing to give it another go. The free agent running back says he’d be open to signing with New Orleans, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 

Of course I would,” Peterson said. “I’m not tripping over the past, plus it would be a different look.

The Saints could consider free running backs in the wake of Mark Ingram‘s four-game suspension and head coach Sean Payton says the team would “absolutely” consider Peterson if they went in that direction. Still, the Saints are reportedly focused on those that are already under contract. The Saints have sixth-round Louisiana Tech product Boston Scott, former Bills rusher Jonathan Williams, and Trey Edmunds behind top RB Alvin Kamara.

It only makes sense for Peterson to be open to a Saints return given the lack of interest in the 33-year-old this offseason. However, it remains to be seen whether the Saints will actually pursue another go ’round with No. 28. Last year, Peterson appeared in just four games for the Saints and found himself frustrated by his place in the pecking order. In October, the Saints shipped him to the Cardinals for a conditional draft pick.

Peterson averaged just 3.4 yards per carry last year, but to his credit, he did have two 100-yard games.

Saints To Sign DT Jay Bromley

The Saints are signing veteran defensive tackle Jay Bromley, a source tells Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune (on Twitter). Bromley participated in the Saints’ recent rookie minicamp and earned a spot on the 90-man roster. 

Bromley was not retained by the Giants this year as the team switched from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 look under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. Although he was not a fit in New York, he offers experience with appearances in 47 games over the last three years as a rotational piece. We had Bromley ranked as the 15th-best defensive tackle on the open market heading into free agency in March. Bromley is the last player in the top 15 to find a deal for 2018.

Last year, the Saints’ defensive line finished 15th in adjusted line yards, according to Football Outsiders. Meanwhile, they allowed more open field yards than the average club, which suggests that there is more work to be done when it comes to the run-stopping abilities of their linebackers and secondary players.

The Saints project to start Sheldon Rankins and Tyeler Davison at defensive tackle in their 4-3 set while David Onyemata, Woodrow Hamilton, and Davaroe Lawrence are jockeying for position in reserve.

Saints Work Out DLs Jay Bromley, Tyrunn Walker

Veteran defensive linemen Jay Bromley and Tyrunn Walker are among the veterans participating in the Saints’ rookie miniamp, according to Nick Underhill of the Advocate (Twitter link).

Bromley was never expected to re-sign with the Giants, as he wasn’t viewed as a fit for new defensive coordinator James Bettchers’ 3-4 defense. But it’s extremely surprising that Bromley has yet to land a new contract as the calendar has turned to May. The 25-year-old appeared in 47 games with New York over the past three seasons, appearing mostly in a rotational capacity. Heading into free agency, PFR ranked Bromley as the 15th-best defensive tackle on the open market — every other interior lineman on our list has since landed a new deal.

Walker, 28, is another potential interior addition for the Saints. He’s actually garnered a bit more interest than Bromley this offseason, as he auditioned for the Jets in late April. Walker has already enjoyed one stint with the Saints, appearing in 23 games for the club from 2012-14. In the years since, Walker has spent time with the Lions and Rams, and last year played about a quarter of Los Angeles’ defensive snaps.

In addition to Bromley and Walker, the Saints are also looking at former Ravens defensive back Matt Elam, former Falcons safety Sharrod Neasman, and veteran offensive lineman Michael Ola.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/18

Today’s minor moves:

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Texans Hire Former Saints Scout

  • The Texans hired Saints scout C.J. Leak to be their assistant director of pro scouting, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Leak spent two years as the Saints’ Combine scout and prior to that spent eight years with the Bills, working in their pro personnel department.