ESPN says Saints built one of the NFL's top 5 free agency classes

A free agency spending spree may have not boosted the New Orleans Saints ' reputation from many NFL power rankings , but ESPN's Ben Solak disagrees. Solak ranked all 32 teams' free agency performances and he argues just three teams did more to improve their rosters this spring. New Orleans was ranked fourth-best out of 32.

Here's why Solak was so impressed by the signings of left guard David Edwards, running back Travis Etienne Jr. , and linebacker Kaden Elliss: I loved: The overall approach. The Saints didn't have a ton of cap space, as they're still extricating themselves from void years of seasons past.

But the light is on the horizon, and what space they had they used well. Edwards is an older player, but guards can age well, and he was the most talented player on the market at that position. Etienne isn't enough of a playmaker to be a dominant three-down back, but he's an excellent 1A in a committee, bringing a well-rounded skill set.

Elliss is a uniquely good blitzer who will give defensive coordinator Brandon Staley a useful curveball as an off-ball/on-ball hybrid. The Saints gave out only three significant contracts, but I like all three. We're already seeing the Saints change their philosophy to free agent contracts, as all three of these bigger deals were structured simply without void years.