Grading the Saints free agent addition of tight end Noah Fant

Tight end was a position that not many expected the New Orleans Saints to address in free agency. Therefore, it was a surprise to many when the Saints agreed to a two-year deal with Noah Fant , a former first round draft choice. He agreed to a two-year contract worth a total of $8.75 million, with $4.5 million of that guaranteed.

New Orleans has paid little attention to the tight end spot in recent years. In Fant, they're getting a first round choice from 2019 that's averaged 48 receptions and 513 yards per year over his seven seasons. It's a surprise addition that could wind up paying off nicely for New Orleans.

Noah Fant signing grade: B

I feel ashamed that I didn't include Fant on my possible tight end target article for the Saints before the start of free agency. I've been a fan of his since his collegiate days with the Iowa Hawkeyes . The Saints needed a legitimate receiving threat at tight end to pair with Juwan Johnson . I truly pictured bringing in Dallas Goedert . In Fant, the Saints got a similar type of receiver who's a better blocker at a cheaper price. The tandem of Johnson and Fant should be able to threaten defenses in multiple ways, opening up things for the entire offense.

Fant won't start, but will be backing up Juwan Johnson. He'll get more snaps than you think. Both Johnson and Fant can come off the line of scrimmage, line up in the slot, or even out wide. Either will threaten defenses down the field to give the offense far more versatility. The Johnson-Fant combination could be the best duo of tight ends that the Saints have had in over a decade.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: New Orleans Saints free agency grades: What to expect from Noah Fant