Saints center Brian de la Puente, a 16-game starter in 2012, has signed his one-year contract offer from the club, the team said Tuesday.
Pro Football Focus graded the 27-year-old de la Puente second among centers in 2012. According to PFF, de la Puente surrendered just two sacks in 1,134 snaps.
The Saints tendered de la Puente at the second-round level in restricted free agency. de la Puente and teammate Chris Ivory were among 11 restricted free agents to receive the second-round tender before the start of the 2013 league year.
The Saints signed de la Puente to their practice squad in 2010. He emerged as their starting center the following season.