Saints extend Evans, sign Wilson

The New Orleans Saints on Wednesday signed guard Jahri Evans to a one-year contract extension and also signed free-agent cornerback Kyle Wilson to a one-year deal.

Evans' deal will lower his salary-cap hit for this season as he carried an $11 million salary-cap charge for the Saints, who were down to just $850,000 in salary-cap space as of Tuesday. Evans will now be under contract with the Saints through 2017.

While Evans' agent, Jerrold Colton, declined to provide specific financial details of his client's contract, he said it allows the Saints to "significantly'' lower Evans' salary cap number in the 2015 and 2016 seasons, while giving Evans "more guarantees and security going forward.''

Evans, 31, had been considered as a possible candidate for one of the Saints' salary-saving measures this offseason, such as the trades of tight end Jimmy Graham and guard Ben Grubbs, before Wednesday's extension because of his lofty price tag and the fact the six-time Pro Bowler has shown signs of regression in recent years.

Wilson joins the Saints after playing the first five seasons of his career with the New York Jets. He joins cornerback Brandon Browner as new additions to the Saints' secondary this offseason. Wilson, who filled the slot cornerback spot for the Jets, likely will compete for playing time for the same role with the Saints.

Wilson was the Jets' first-round pick in 2010, 29th overall. It was a curious choice at the time because they already had Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, but they wanted to build their cornerback depth to combat the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the AFC.

Wilson, 27, never amounted to more than a nickelback. He started 28 games over five seasons, but they all came as an injury fill-in. His busiest year was 2012, when he was pressed into a full-time role because of a season-ending knee injury to Revis.

In the end, it was a disappointing run for Wilson, a frequent target of criticism from the fans and media. He made only three interceptions in five years. He also was involved in one of the most infamous moments in recent Jets history.

In a Christmas Eve game against the New York Giants in 2011, Wilson and Cromartie allowed Victor Cruz to spin out of a tackle after a short completion, resulting in a 99-yard touchdown that changed the direction of two franchises. The Jets missed the playoffs and the Giants, on the verge of elimination, won the game and went on to capture the Super Bowl.

ESPN.com Saints reporter Mike Triplett, Jets reporter Rich Cimini and The Associated Press contributed to this report.