Mike Triplett, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Saints schedule visit with Jordy Nelson, but they have competition

METAIRIE, La. -- Quarterbacks Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers might wind up swapping their go-to guys.

The New Orleans Saints lost out on their No. 1 pass-catching target when former Saints (and then Seattle Seahawks) tight end Jimmy Graham decided to sign for bigger money with the Green Bay Packers.

So now the Saints have turned their attention to one of the pass-catchers Graham is replacing -- longtime Packers receiver Jordy Nelson.

The Saints are one of at least three teams scheduled to visit with Nelson after he was released on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Nelson will visit with the Seahawks and Oakland Raiders before meeting with the Saints.

The Saints' interest is a bit surprising, since I had the defensive line, linebacker, tight end and cornerback positions ranked as more glaring needs. (And maybe they will still prove to be top priorities after free agency officially kicks off on Wednesday afternoon.)

I had receiver ranked fifth among the Saints' offseason needs -- and this move would make more sense if they have decided not to spend big money on a pass-catching tight end now that Graham is off the market.

New Orleans has one of the NFL's top young receivers in Pro Bowler Michael Thomas. But the team could use an extra set of hands in a group that includes veteran Ted Ginn Jr. and restricted free agents Willie Snead and Brandon Coleman -- especially if they don't significantly upgrade at tight end.

The Saints had the No. 2 offense in the NFL last year, but they were a stunning 19th in third-down conversions (37.6 percent) -- a category where they had routinely led the NFL during the Sean Payton-Brees era.

A lot could depend on Nelson's price tag. The Packers released the 32-year-old before he was scheduled to make $10.25 million in salary and bonuses. Will he cost less now that he's on the open market?

Nelson's production dropped significantly last season after Rodgers broke his collarbone. Nelson finished with just 53 catches for 482 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games played.

Just one season earlier, the 6-foot-3, 217-pounder was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year with 97 catches for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns after he missed the 2015 season with a torn ACL. Before that, he was a Pro Bowler in 2014. He ranks third in Packers history in catches (550), fifth in receiving yards (7,848) and second in touchdown catches (69).

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