Noah Fant‘s free agent tour began yesterday with the Bengals. The veteran tight end is exploring his options before taking a new deal, though. 
Fant will meet with the Saints, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. He adds yesterday’s Bengals summit went well, meaning a Cincinnati agreement is still possible. It will be interesting to see how this New Orleans visit plays out.
Fant is among the top free agents on the market during the opening stages of training camp. He was released by the Seahawks on Sunday in a cost-shedding move. The 27-year-old spent the past three seasons in Seattle, operating as the team’s top tight end. In spite of that workload, Fant was unable to replicate his production from his three-year Broncos stint.
The former first-rounder posted at least 40 receptions and 562 yards every year with Denver. Fant managed 130 catches during his time in Seattle, but he not able to be as efficient with his second career team. Still, he could offer a boost to the passing attack of any number of interested suitors.
The Saints still have tight end Juwan Johnson in the fold after he re-signed on a three-year, $30.75MM pact this offseason. Fellow veteran Foster Moreau is also set to reprise his role as a regular on offense. Taysom Hill joined Moreau on the active/PUP list this week as he rehabs an ACL tear. Bringing in Fant would offer healthy depth at the tight end spot for a Saints team looking to avoid the skill position injuries suffered on offense last season.
New Orleans is using training camp and the preseason to determine the team’s starting quarterback. Regardless of who the Saints – currently armed with almost $23MM in cap space – wind up handing the reins to, Fant would be capable of adding depth at the TE spot with a signing.