| No, that big thing everybody's waiting on didn't happen Tuesday, but a whole lot else did as far as the New Orleans Saints go. As New Orleans continues its pursuit of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson — who, as a reminder, the Saints met in Houston because Watson is facing 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct — the rest of the NFL world kept spinning. Marcus Williams, who'd spent the first five seasons of his NFL career in New Orleans, cashed in with the Baltimore Ravens, agreeing to a contract that will pay him $70 million (including $37 million guaranteed). Williams became the fifth (!!!) member of the 2017 Saints draft class to earn a $60 million-plus contract. That was a domino the Saints were expecting to fall, and by late Tuesday night, they had their answer, reaching a much more affordable agreement with former New York Jets safety Marcus Maye — himself a member of that 2017 NFL draft class. How are the perennially cash-strapped Saints able to afford such a move? Well, that's a good question, but they made another couple transactions Tuesday that freed gobs of cap space. First, they restructured a contract, converting much of Marcus Davenport's 2022 salary into signing bonus. Second, they signed one of their own to an extension. Defensive back Bradley Roby, who looked like a prime candidate to be released for cap-saving purposes, instead signed an extension with the team that should dramatically reduce the $10.2 million cap hit he was set to cost the Saints this year. And, presumably, the Saints are going to use the draft to replenish their stock of players on rookie contracts. Tuesday, they learned what compensatory picks they'd be receiving in this year's draft — some good news, and some bad news on that front. Is that all? Maybe! But it is the silly season in the NFL, and one way or another there's bound to be some big news on the horizon soon. We'll have it covered top to bottom at nola.com Cheers, Luke Johnson | 
