Defensive tackle Nick Fairley has drawn interest from several teams since the start of free agency earlier this month and it looks like he’s closing in on a decision about where he’ll sign for the 2016 season.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Fairley is expected to sign with the Saints, who met with Fairley last week. Rapoport reports the Patriots are out of the running for his services and presumably the Jets and Eagles, who also showed interest, have fallen out of the running as well.
Fairley would likely slot in next to nose tackle John Jenkins on the interior of the New Orleans line. That would likely lead to more playing time than Fairley saw as a member of the Rams last season. Fairley played behind Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers and saw 422 snaps on defense over the course of the year.
Fairley had 29 tackles and a half-sack over those snaps and had 98 tackles and 13.5 sacks over four years with the Lions.