The New Orleans Saints will be traversing some unfamiliar territory this offseason, set to enter the first year of the post-Sean Payton regime. The team will be looking to get back into the playoffs after missing out in 2021, but they have some work to do in the offseason in order to achieve their goals. Unfortunately, the team is in the worst financial situation of any organization in the NFL, currently projected to sit a shocking $74 million over the cap this offseason. With minimal wiggle room and a slew of issues to address, the Saints have a tall task ahead of them in 2022.

The Saints have been searching for the answer at quarterback following Drew Brees' departure and may look to address that during the offseason. However, with minimal cap space, finding a quality starting quarterback could prove difficult, which could result in the team entering 2022 with Taysom Hill, Ian Book, and Blake Bortles as the only QBs on the roster. With that in mind, here are a few early free-agent targets the Saints should be monitoring in the 2022 NFL offseason.

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Saints Free Agent Targets for 2022 NFL Offseason

3. Cedrick Wilson, Wide Receiver

With minimal cap space to spend in free agency, the Saints will need to be targeting players who don't figure to have a huge market in free agency. Jakobi Meyers could be an ideal target for the Saints, who likely won't be able to submit competitive offers for the likes of Davante Adams, Odell Beckham Jr., or even Christian Kirk. Wilson is coming off a career year with the Cowboys, and could likely be signed for a low price. The 26-year-old caught 45 receptions in 2021, racking up 602 yards and six touchdowns on the year, despite sitting behind the likes of Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb on the depth chart.

With Michael Thomas having been sidelined for nearly two years with injuries, it's hard to envision him coming back as the same player he once was. If he isn't his former self, adding a quality receiver like Wilson at a bargain price could be the best move for the Saints. Wilson would also benefit from a move to New Orleans, as he'd be able to showcase his skills as one of the primary options on offense.

2. Bilal Nichols, Defensive Tackle

The Saints' need for a defensive tackle is one of their most glaring issues heading into 2022. While David Onyemata was solid in 2021, the rest of the team's interior defensive linemen struggled to produce, and the team will need to be more effective at getting after the quarterback in 2022. As mentioned earlier, the Saints simply can't afford to make any marquee free-agency signings, barring some miracle maneuvering of the cap, so they'll have to look to find some solid players at a cheap price. Nichols fits that bill, coming off a solid season with the Chicago Bears.

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JC Latham (Alabama), Chris Braswell (Alabama not Jaguars), Cornelieus Johnson (Michigan) in action behind a New Orleans Saints logo with a 2024 NFL Draft background.

Dylan Bruton ·

In 2021, Nichols started 15 games for the Bears, recording 3.0 sacks, 26 tackles, two fumble recoveries, five tackles for loss, and nine QB hits. The 25-year-old is exiting his rookie contract with the Bears and doesn't figure to be highly sought-after in free agency, which could make him an opportune target for the Saints. Adding a disruptor such as Nichols would help the Saints' improve their work in the trenches as they look to improve upon a disappointing 2021.

1. Kareem Jackson, Safety

The Saints will do whatever they can to work out an extension with star safety Marcus Williams, and rightfully so, but they probably can't afford to lock down P.J. Williams a long-term deal. Thus, they could end up needing to find a replacement at the safety position, and could look to the veteran Jackson to do so. Jackson is coming off a disappointing season with the Broncos, but the veteran defensive back turned in three excellent seasons from 2018-20. He is an incredibly intelligent football player, and while he may have lost a step or two in terms of his quickness, he has veteran experience and a bright football IQ, which could make him an ideal candidate to bridge the gap between Williams and the Saints' safety of the future.

In 2021, Jackson was playing on a one-year, $5 million deal with the Denver Broncos. He started 15 games, recording one interception, 88 tackles, two pass defenses, and 1.0 sacks. He has 20 interceptions across his 12-year career, and could prove a valuable addition for the Saints without breaking the bank.