lukeloffredo
August 9, 2024 12:04 pm CT
As we have already reached preseason football, the 2024 regular season is already upon us and teams have already begun looking towards 2025. Some decisions are simple, like picking up the fifth-year option on successful draft picks (or choosing not to exercise options for struggling players). Other calls won’t be so clear-cut. The New Orleans Saints in particular like to sign next year’s free agents to extensions over the summer, and we could see that strategy repeat in the months ahead.
Only just a day ago, the Saints re-upped linebacker Pete Werner, securing him for the next three seasons, a player who would have been a free agent in 2025. Currently there are 36 players on the roster right now whose contracts run out next year, so we should expect them to continue to get some deals done on guys when the time makes sense. In some cases it’s smarter to let them test the market. Others are worth prioritizing sooner.
Reminder, there are three different classes of free agents: Unrestricted (who qualify for compensatory draft picks if they leave), Restricted (who could bring back compensation if signed away), and Exclusive Rights (who can be kept on a minimum salary). Navigating different situations can get complicated. Still, some of the players on this list will never get close to free agency. Others are going to leave. Here’s an early look at all 36 of them:
CB Paulson Adebo (Unrestricted)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 05: Paulson Adebo #29 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after an interception during the first half in the game against the Chicago Bears at Caesars Superdome on November 05, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
TE Juwan Johnson (Unrestricted)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 13: Juwan Johnson #83 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during a preseason game at Caesars Superdome on August 13, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Unrestricted)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 17: Tanoh Kpassagnon #92 of the New Orleans Saints reacts during the second half of the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome on December 17, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
DE Chase Young (Unrestricted)
Dec 24, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
LB Willie Gay Jr. (Unrestricted)
Aug 26, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay (50) during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
LB Khaleke Hudson (Unrestricted)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 24: Khaleke Hudson #47 of the Washington Commanders looks on before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
S Johnathan Abram (Unrestricted)
Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Johnathan Abram (24) celebrates after a turnover against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
WR Equanimeous St. Brown (Unrestricted)
Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (19) runs after a catch during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
OL Landon Young (Unrestricted)
Nov 26, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Landon Young (67) on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
FB Adam Prentice (Unrestricted)
Jul 27, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints full back Adam Prentice (46) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
LB Monty Rice (Unrestricted)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 13: Monty Rice #56 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
DB Ugo Amadi (Unrestricted)
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Ugo Amadi (0) looks on against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
OL Olisaemeka Udoh (Unrestricted)
Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Oli Udoh (74) stretches before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
DE Payton Turner (Unrestricted)
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner (98) reacts to recovering a fumble against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
CB Shemar Jean-Charles (Unrestricted)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 09: Shemar Jean-Charles #8 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers celebrates with fans after winning their game against the South Carolina Gameco*cks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
RB James Robinson (Unrestricted)
Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Jets running back James Robinson (23) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
WR Stanley Morgan (Unrestricted)
Oct 16, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Stanley Morgan (17) during warm ups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
LB Nephi Sewell (Exclusive Rights)
Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Nephi Sewell (45) reacts prior to the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
DT Jack Heflin (Exclusive Rights)
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Jack Heflin (90) participates in training camp at Ray Nitschke Field, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via Imagn Content Services, LLC
DE Niko Lalos (Exclusive Rights)
Aug 29, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive end Niko Lalos (57) looks on after the game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
OL Lucas Patrick (Unrestricted)
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears guard Lucas Patrick (62) warms up before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
S Will Harris (Unrestricted)
Oct 15, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) reacts after intercepting the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
OL Shane Lemieux (Unrestricted)
Sep 3, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants guard Shane Lemieux (66) during the Blue-White Scrimmage at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
DT Kendal Vickers (Unrestricted)
Oct 23, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kendal Vickers (95) walks off the field after warming up for a game against the Houston Texans at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
OL Tremayne Anchrum (Unrestricted)
May 23, 2023, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tackle Tremayne Anchrum Jr. (72) wears a Guardian cap on helmet during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
WR Marquez Callaway (Unrestricted)
Aug 14, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) runs on the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
WR Samson Nacua (Exclusive Rights)
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 18: Samson Nacua #45 of the BYU Cougars celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a game against the UAB Blazers at the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OL Mark Evans II (Exclusive Rights)
May 11, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Mark Evans II (68) looks on during the rookie minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
WR Kevin Austin Jr. (Exclusive Rights)
Jun 13, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (80) participates in mandatory mini camp at TIAA Bank field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
CB Mac McCain III (Exclusive Rights)
Aug 21, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Mac McCain III (37) looks up to the stands before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
OL Jesse Davis (Unrestricted)
Dec 5, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jesse Davis (77) takes on the field prior the game against the New York Giants at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
LB Mike Rose (Exclusive Rights)
Jul 27, 2022; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson (84) runs the ball as linebacker Mike Rose (48) defends during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
DB Roderic Teamer (Unrestricted)
Oct 23, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) reacts before the game against the Houston Texans at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
TE Kevin Rader (Unrestricted)
Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Kevin Rader (86) takes the field during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
OL Justin Herron (Unrestricted)
Sep 25, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Justin Herron (71) leaves the field after warmups before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
OL Chandler Brewer (Unrestricted)
Jun 13, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Chandler Brewer (67) participates in mandatory mini camp at TIAA Bank field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
