One trade, cut and signing New Orleans Saints should make

Once again, the New Orleans Saints began the offseason in salary-cap hell. However, this year, the Saints easily worked their way down from an NFL-worst $83 million over the cap.

By Feb. 29, New Orleans was only $16 million over the cap, and it can free an additional $34 million by restructuring the contracts of offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, running back Alvin Kamara, linebacker Demario Davis and tight end/quarterback/running back/special teams contributor Taysom Hill.

Becoming cap-compliant is just a small part of the battle for the Saints as they try to snap a three-year postseason drought. Here are three moves the team should consider this offseason.

TRADE: Cornerback Marshon Lattimore to Jacksonville Jaguars for 2025 third-round pick and 2025 fifth-round pick

A trade involving Lattimore became more likely in January when the Saints included an option bonus as opposed to a signing bonus in his revised contract. The 2017 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year has played in only half of the team's games over the past two seasons, and while quarterbacks have posted their worst rating when targeting him in his career during the span, the Saints have depth behind Lattimore should they decide to trade him.

Per Over the Cap, a pre-June 1 trade would cost the team roughly $30 million, making a post-June 1 trade much more likely. The Jaguars arguably make the most sense as a potential destination after former Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen was hired by Jacksonville as its defensive coordinator earlier this offseason.

This package, while underwhelming for New Orleans, is similar to the haul the Rams received when trading Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins last offseason. In that transaction, Miami sent tight end Hunter Long and a 2023 third-rounder (No. 77 overall) to Los Angeles.

CUT: Wide receiver Michael Thomas

This one feels like a foregone conclusion, but until Thomas is officially released, he's the most obvious candidate to be cut. Things turned sour in a hurry for the oft-injured wideout in his first season with quarterback Derek Carr. In January, the 2019 Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year blasted Carr on social media for setting him up with a bad pass on the play that ultimately ended his season. That public airing of grievances, however justified, was enough to show that the two probably shouldn't coexist in the same locker room in 2024.

The Saints are set up well at wide receiver. While they have several aging vets starting at other positions, the Saints have a trio of talented young wideouts (Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, A.T. Perry) who should continue to get better, making Thomas' likely departure easier to swallow.

SIGNING: Linebacker Josey Jewell

Demario Davis and Pete Werner give the Saints an outstanding top two linebackers, but the depth behind them is concerning. Zach Baun, who started six games, is an unrestricted free agent, and Allen noted earlier this week that backup Nephi Sewell (torn ACL) is unlikely to practice during training camp.

Jewell spent his first six seasons with the Broncos, totaling over 100 tackles three times. Last season, had 108 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He also only allowed 6.8 yards per completion while in coverage.