Saints 2022 Position Grades: Linebacker
Many were skeptical about the New Orleans Saints linebackers as the team entered the 2022 season. Sure, the team still had Demario Davis, one of the NFL's best all-around defensive players. Pete Werner was also coming off a promising rookie campaign.
However, there were doubts about the position's depth after Kwon Alexander departed in free agency. The Saints brought in two accomplished veteran linebackers in training camp, but both were cut in preseason. Promising fifth-round pick D'Marco Jackson was also lost for the year with an injury in training camp.
The Saints struggled in a lot of areas in 2022. Linebacker was not among them, where one of the year's most pleasant surprises also emerged.
Saints 2022 LB Grades
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is stuffed by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56). Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
For his fifth straight year with the team, the catalyst of the Saints defense was LB Demario Davis. He led the team with 109 tackles, the sixth straight season he's finished with 100+ stops and 10th time of over 90 tackles in his 11-year career.
Davis again proved to be a disruptive force in every aspect of the game. He literally filled up the stat sheet with a career-high 6.5 sacks, 10 pressures, 10 tackles for loss, and an interception to go along with six passes broken up.
Davis tracks down runners with tenacious sideline-to-sideline pursuit, plugs gaps at the line, rushes the passer effectively, and covers backs or tight ends anywhere on the field. His combination of elite instincts, physicality, and athleticism takes the New Orleans defense to another level.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) knocks down a pass for Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (29). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Second-year LB Pete Werner was a terrific complement to Davis early in the year. A naturally instinctive player, Werner is rarely caught out of position. He also has underrated athleticism in open space and in coverage.
Werner had six games of at least seven tackles over the first eight weeks, including three double-digit outings. He was leading the NFL in total tackles and solo stops at mid-season before an ankle injury sidelined him for five games.
The 23-year-old Werner still finished with 80 tackles and forced two fumbles on the year. One of several Ohio State products on the team, Werner looks like a major part of the Saints defense for years to come.
Zack Baun, Andrew Dowell, and Chase Hansen were around for depth but mostly contributed on special teams. However, one of the team’s most pleasant surprises of 2022 was also previously exclusive on special teams.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) is sacked by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55). Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY
A seventh-round pick out of Idaho in the 2019 NFL Draft, Kaden Elliss was a special teams standout but played sparingly on defense over his first three seasons. He'd break out in a big way over the last half of 2022, with the defense not missing a beat during Werner's injury absence.
Elliss finished with 7 sacks, 11 pressures, 2 passes broken up, and 7 tackles for loss among 78 total stops. Six of his sacks, along with 63 tackles, came in the last nine games. He was not only disruptive against the run and as a pass rusher, but also showed vast improvements in coverage--a previous weakness in his game.
In the last nine games with Elliss in full-time duty, the Saints gave up an average of less than 15 points and 309 yards per contest while recording 29 sacks.
An unrestricted free agent entering the offseason, re-signing Elliss should be a top priority for New Orleans. His emergence, along with Werner's development and the elite presence of Davis, gave the Saints one of the league's best trio of linebackers.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) in coverage against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The fact that the Saints ranked a lowly 24th against the run is more of an indictment on the poor play of the defensive tackles than the linebacking corps. Opponents were able to get to the second level easily most of the year with interior runs.
Davis, Elliss, and Werner were all playmakers throughout the year. The New Orleans linebackers were the most consistent unit on the team on either side of the ball. They were the key to one of the league's better defenses.
