After placing a second-round tender on running back Chris Ivory on Friday night, the New Orleans Saints have used the tender on two other restricted free agents, ESPN reported.
The Saints also used the designation on center Brian de la Puente and defensive end Junior Galette for a one-year deal at $2.023 million. New Orleans would receive a second-round pick if either player is signed by another team and the Saints opt not to match it.
Following the moves, New Orleans is about $6 million over the salary cap. The Saints could restructure the contracts of veterans Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith and Roman Harper before the start of free agency.
Ivory, a 2010 undrafted free agent, has averaged 5.1 yards per carry in three seasons with the Saints but rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries in 2012.
The well-traveled De la Puente has become one of the most underrated centers in the NFL. Undrafted in 2008, the former California lineman played for four teams in his first two seasons in the NFL. In 2010, De la Puente began his second stint with the 49ers, before joining the Seahawks for the second time.
Following his release by the Seahawks, De la Puente was signed to the Saints’ practice squad in October 2010. De la Puente became the Saints’ starting center in 2011 after Olin Kreutz suffered a knee injury and unexpectedly retired.
In 2012, De la Puente ended the season as the highest-rated lineman on the Saints’ roster by Pro Football Focus. The website also ranked De la Puente as the second-best center in the league.
Galette, a three-year veteran, could be a key to the Saints’ defense in 2013, as the team transitions to a 3-4 scheme. Galette (6-foot-3, 260 pounds), had 5.0 sacks last season, third on the team behind Cameron Jordan and Smith.
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