New Orleans Saints Secondary Could Partner Former Golden Gopher Teammates In NFL Draft

The Saints could be in the market for another Golden Gopher in its secondary.

New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye was released by the team before to the start of free agency. The Saints are expected to line up Jordan Howden and veteran Tyrann Mathieu as starters on the back end. They also re-signed Ugo Amadi and Johnathan Abram to provide depth.

Howden, a fifth-round pick in 2023, had a promising rookie year. Mathieu, who turns 32 in May, is entering his 12th season and has lost a step in slot coverage but still has outstanding instincts. Abram is a good in-the-box defender but a liability in coverage. Amadi is more of a special teamer, but was a solid defensive contributor last season.

The Saints may want to fortify their back end with another versatile safety. This year's draft class looks fairly weak at the position. However, Howden's collegiate teammate is projected to be one of the first safeties off the board.

After starring at St. Charles North High School in Illinois, Nubin chose Minnesota over more traditional powers like Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. As a true freshman and sophomore, he contributed but played somewhat sparingly.

Nubin developed into a playmaker for the Golden Gophers, intercepting 12 passes over his last three seasons. He was 2nd Team All-Big Ten in 2022, following that up with 1st Team All-Conference honors and a 1st Team All-American selection last year.

A highly instinctive player, Nubin also has prototype size and length for a safety. He'll expertly bait quarterbacks like a seasoned Pro Bowler, but also brings some versatility to a defense.

Nubin's outstanding play recognition, instincts, and adequate range give him terrific range in coverage support. He's extremely disciplined in coverage assignments, but also aggressively closes on plays in front of him. When asked to cover the slot, he has the necessary skills, though more suited to off-ball roles.

Nubin lacks top-end speed, which may present a problem when matched up against the league's faster slot receivers. His tight change-of-direction can cause him to struggle staying with receivers out of their breaks.

As a tackler, Nubin is willing and aggressive but must improve his fundamentals. He can take poor angles in open field pursuit, allowing runners to gain extra yardage or giving a receiver an open window.

Nubin's outstanding play recognition, instincts, and adequate range give him terrific range in coverage support. He's extremely disciplined in coverage assignments, but also aggressively closes on plays in front of him. When asked to cover the slot, he has the necessary skills, though more suited to off-ball roles.

Nubin lacks top-end speed, which may present a problem when matched up against the league's faster slot receivers. His tight change-of-direction can cause him to struggle staying with receivers out of their breaks.

As a tackler, Nubin is willing and aggressive but must improve his fundamentals. He can take poor angles in open field pursuit, allowing runners to gain extra yardage or giving a receiver an open window.

The Saints have had some great fortune when picking safeties in various points of the draft. Malcolm Jenkins (2009) was a first-round choice. Vonn Bell (2016) and Marcus Williams (2017) were outstanding second-round selections. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (2019) was a steal in the fourth round, with Howden showing the potential to join him on that list.

Tyler Nubin is projected to be a second round pick and stands a good chance at being the first safety selected. That may be a little early for the Saints to draft a safety, but Nubin has the playmaking ability to make an immediate impact and bolster an already strong New Orleans secondary.