Will Clapp

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Earning a C+ Contract Value Index, Will Clapp's deal reflects how New Orleans valued the center market at the veteran depth tier. At $795K AAV, he's operating well below the franchise-starter price point, a valuation that aligns cleanly with his B- performance grade and the reality that he's occupying a rotation or emergency role rather than anchoring the line as a centerpiece. The 2025 season saw him appear in just one game, a limited snap count that underscores his standing as a depth piece in the Saints' offensive line rotation. At 29 years old and eight seasons into his career—having entered the league as a seventh-round pick in 2018—Clapp has settled into the established veteran archetype: reliable organizational continuity, but without the production metrics or national profile that justify premium salary. His D+ sentiment grade reflects what the mediaFraming describes: professional invisibility, neither a lightning rod nor a name generating fan engagement, which compounds the gap between contract value and market perception. The Saints' recent offseason activity has centered on defensive reinforcements and skill-position adjustments, with no moves suggesting organizational confidence in elevating Clapp's role heading into the 2026 season. At this price point and with limited 2025 production behind him, the CVI reflects exactly what he is—a journeyman middle-of-the-roster contributor providing positional continuity at a cost the Saints are comfortable sustaining.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Will's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Will Clapp is an eight-year veteran center for the New Orleans Saints who has struggled to establish himself as a reliable presence on the offensive line despite his lengthy tenure in the league. With just 14 career games across his eight seasons, Clapp's availability has been the defining characteristic of his professional journey—a durability concern that has severely limited his opportunity to develop consistency at a position where experience and continuity are paramount to success. The 29-year-old has performed at a B-minus level when on the field, demonstrating competence in pass protection and run-blocking assignments, but his inability to stay healthy has prevented him from building the extensive game tape necessary to establish himself as a dependable starting option. In the Saints' ongoing offensive line renovation, Clapp remains a reserve with limited upside, providing depth and emergency snaps rather than a foundation piece for the franchise's future plans. As New Orleans continues to evaluate its roster, the question becomes whether Clapp can finally string together consecutive weeks of availability to prove he can be a stabilizing force at center, or whether his injury history will continue to define a career with significant unrealized potential.

How Will Compares at the Position

Will Clapp ranks 18th of 72 graded centers by performance. That slots Will between Tanor Bortolini (B-) just ahead and Lloyd Cushenberry III (C+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Will Clapp's departure from the NFL represents the end of an eight-year career as a depth offensive lineman who never achieved Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition. The Saints' decision to pull him into a new role before his retirement announcement suggests the organization valued his veteran presence and locker room leadership in his final chapter. Media coverage of his retirement has been respectful and celebratory of his longevity, framing his exit as a graceful conclusion rather than a forced departure. However, from a fan and media perception standpoint, Clapp remains a largely anonymous role player whose impact was primarily felt in practice and limited game action. His retirement generates minimal discussion in national football circles, reflecting his status as a journeyman backup rather than a franchise cornerstone or memorable contributor.