Erik

McCoy

The offseason can’t officially begin until the Saints begin their salary cap gymnastics to get below the cap. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Saints converted McCoy’s salary and roster bonus to free up a whopping $7.18 million in cap space. McCoy earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023 after starting all 17 games for the Saints while earning a PFF blocking grade of 79.4. McCoy is one of many players the Saints will be restructuring in the coming days/weeks, as they entered the offseason roughly $83.6 million over the cap.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that there are $40 million in guarantees in the deal. McCoy is coming off his worst season in three years, missing time with a calf injury and positing a 63.6 PFF blocking grade. Still, he profiles as a stalwart for the team and is certainly worthy of an extension. The deal parks McCoy into the top five of average annual value among centers.

“Saints general manager Mickey Loomis is determined to land Watson and is prepared to make aggressive, roster-shaking moves to pull this off,” Wilson writes. A source predicted to Wilson that OT Ryan Ramczyk, DE Marcus Davenport, DT David Onyemata, and C Erik McCoy are potential add-ons along with the reported Texans asking price of three first-round picks. The Panthers have been the most aggressive team on Watson for some time now, but the Saints appear to be another strong entrant into the ring.

The Saints continue to be one of the teams most Down Bad by COVID-19, though they can’t help but be more healthy than they were last week. This won’t help an offensive line situation that has been disastrous between COVID and injuries to tackles.

Armstead was joined by center Erik McCoy in a return that augurs better times ahead for Alvin Kamara and Jameis Winston. A healthy Armstead would be a big upgrade for the Saints over backup swing tackle James Hurst. Kamara is an easy RB1 in a bye-weakened Week 7 slate and this can only help push him closer to RB1 overall.

There are whispers McCoy could be headed to injured reserve, meaning he’d miss at least the next three games. A second round pick by the Saints in 2019, McCoy has started every game for New Orleans over the past two seasons. Pro Football Focus graded McCoy as the league’s 11th best center in 2020. His extended absence could be an issue for Jameis Winston and Alvin Kamara. The Saints are trying out former Chiefs C Austin Reiter.

Warford is headed into the final year of his deal and scheduled to collect over $8 million in salary and bonuses while the Saints can clear $7.75 million in cap space by releasing him. He turns 29 in June and was Pro Football Focus’ No. 30 guard among 82 qualifiers last season. One of Ruiz or 2019 second-rounder Erik McCoy is going to play center, and the other is going to have to move to guard. The Saints re-signed LG Andrus Peat to a five-year deal last month.

McCoy is competing with Cameron Tom and Nick Easton, but “it appears to be very much McCoy’s job to lose.” The rookie was selected with the No. 48 overall pick after showing elite 4.89 speed at 303 pounds during Combine testing. A strong athlete with years of starting experience at Texas A&M, McCoy profiles as a starting-caliber interior lineman.

The Saints signed their entire five-man draft class on Friday ahead of rookie minicamp. McCoy was the team’s top pick at No. 48 overall following a trade-up with the Dolphins. McCoy is likely the long-term answer in the middle at center, but he may start his career at guard if LG Andrus Peat walks as a free agent next year. McCoy figures to not play much as a rookie. The Saints signed C Nick Easton to a four-year deal after Max Unger retired.

McCoy (6’4/303) made 39 starts in College Station, mostly manning center and earning NFL scout plaudits for his body control and technique. McCoy’s arms are longer than most centers (33"), and he is built thickly with some power to his game. He notably held his own against eventual No. 3 overall pick Quinnen Williams in TAMU’s 2018 bout with Alabama. A plus athlete with 62nd-percentile SPARQ results, McCoy’s down-to-down consistency and tenacity give him a shot to become a quality long-term starter at center or guard. The Saints inked Nick Easton to replace retired C Max Unger, but McCoy could push him right away. That or McCoy could be an eventual replacement for contract-year LG Andrus Peat.