New Orleans Saints sign DL Zxavian Harris

Zxavian Harris's three-year, $3.1M deal with the Saints earns a fair-to-modest Contract Value Index (CVI) grade — a signing that reads as a depth-driven, low-risk roster move rather than a marquee acquisition. At roughly $1.03M AAV, the Saints are paying well below the threshold for a legitimate starter at defensive line, which appropriately reflects Harris's production tier as a depth piece competing for a roster spot rather than a featured role in the front seven. The CVI holds at a steady C+ because the contract structure itself is sensible — at that salary figure, the Saints carry minimal exposure if Harris fails to develop into a meaningful contributor. What's missing from this analysis, and what keeps the grade from climbing, is clarity on guaranteed money; without that data point, evaluating true downside risk is difficult, though the modest total value suggests the exposure is limited regardless. For a New Orleans team that finished 6-11 and carries obvious needs across the roster, stacking the depth chart with affordable, low-floor contracts like this one is a reasonable offseason philosophy — these are the kinds of signings that don't move the needle but also don't handcuff future flexibility. Harris has to prove he belongs in meaningful defensive snaps; at this price, the Saints can afford to find out.