Running back is one of the easiest positions in the league to find cheap. As long as you have a good offensive line blocking for them, there are plenty of capable runners looking for an opportunity. Pierre Thomas has been good in the past, but he comes with a $2.9 million cap number this year and has taken a lot of punishment already in his career.
Wide receiver Robert Meachem came back over to the Saints last season after spending a year with the San Diego Chargers. Meachem, a free agent this offseason, only caught 16 balls for 324 yards in 2014. The Saints have two young receivers — Nick Toon and Kenny Stills — they can bring up and give more playing time to with Meachem gone.
Former first-round pick Patrick Robinson is coming off a major injury and due to make $2.8 million against the cap in 2014. He hasn't played well in New Orleans and is looking like he might go down as a bust. He could still have something to offer a team but not at an almost $3 million cap hit.
This one isn't about money; it's about an older player who can't get the job done anymore. Ben Watson, who is slated to be the backup tight end next year, is 33-years-old and only had 19 receptions for two touchdowns last year. Guys his age don't get better -- they only get worse. The Saints can find that kind of production in a cheaper, younger player who might have some future upside.
Mark Ingram has been a lightning rod of differing opinions since the Saints took him in the first round of the 2011 draft. The former Heisman winner will never live up to that billing, mostly because very few backs are worth that kind of investment anymore. One thing we should all be willing to agree on is that he's not worth the $2.4 million cap hit he comes with next season.
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