New Orleans Saints have found their new starting center

The New Orleans Saints were dealt an unfortunate blow when the news hit that their starting center Max Unger would be retiring this year.

This forced GM Mickey Loomis into a difficult spot. Finding a quality replacement this late into the free agency process and with no 1st round pick in the draft presents all sorts of challenges. Unger after all was one of the better centers in the NFL. A former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion. Given Loomis credit though. His response was nothing if not decisive and swift.

Veteran interior offensive lineman Nick Easton has agreed to a new four-year deal with the team per his agents at JL Sports. He is formerly of the Minnesota Vikings but missed 2018 with a neck injury. Word is he’s fully recovered and ready to resume playing. For the Saints to give him $24 million though is quite an investment on their part given his history.

That said, there may be sound reasoning behind it.

Nick Easton is exactly the sort of blocker Sean Payton likes

Easton never started a full season in Minnesota, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t showcase some of what drew the Saints’ interest. His versatility stood out immediately, making the transition from his original position at center to guard between 2016 and 2017 with little dip in performance. Sean Payton likes blockers who can move around well. Better still, he likes blockers who can pass protect.

In 694 total snaps where he was called on to protect the quarterback, Easton did not surrender a single sack. With Drew Brees at quarterback, this is never a bad thing to have on your resume. The Saints have typically been good about finding quality interior offensive linemen in the past. If Easton can stay healthy, he has a chance to finally be in a place where he can hone his craft.