The New Orleans Saints are scheduled to visit with free-agent defensive tackle Kendall Langford this week, according to ESPN St. Louis Rams reporter Nick Wagoner.
Langford, 29, is free to sign with teams now since he was released by the Rams last week. But it appears he’s planning to test the market first, since he has already visited the Detroit Lions and also plans to visit the New York Jets.
Wagoner described Langford as a “solid and probably underrated player” over his past three years in St. Louis -- and for four years with the Miami Dolphins before that. The 6-foot-6, 313-pounder became expendable because the Rams drafted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald in the same position last year. Wagoner wrote that he should have no problem finding work and could seek a starting job elsewhere.
Langford had just one sack and made only four starts last year after having five sacks and 16 starts in 2013. His run-stuffing ability is probably his top asset, but he’s also a decent pass-rusher with 15.5 sacks in his seven-year career. He’s played both defensive end in a 3-4 system in Miami and three-technique tackle in a 4-3 system in St. Louis -- a versatility that could suit the Saints, who mix and match the two fronts. And Langford has been extremely durable, never missing a game in his career.
The end/tackle spot doesn’t seem to rank among the Saints' top needs, since they have Cameron Jordan, Akiem Hicks, Glenn Foster and restricted free agent Tyrunn Walker in a similar role. But they do a lot of rotating along the defensive line, and Langford could also help bring some of the veteran leadership and experience the Saints have stressed the need to improve this offseason.
