Saints May Continue Exploring Options at Linebacker
Earlier this week, the New Orleans Saints hosted former Vikings and Cowboys LB Anthony Barr. Erroneous ''reports'' suggested that a contract was in the works, but Barr left team facilities without a deal. On Thursday, New Orleans signed former Cowboys and Giants LB Jaylon Smith.
It's still possible that the Saints are able to sign Barr. He would be an excellent fit alongside Smith for a New Orleans defensive scheme that demands a lot from their linebackers. Both are former Pro Bowlers who are rarely out of position against the run and have good coverage range.
Jaylon Smith is a big addition, but New Orleans may look to add even more depth at this spot. Here are some intriguing players that are still available at linebacker.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans (54) reacts after recovering a fumble against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY
• Rashaan Evans (age = 27)
• Kyle Van Noy (32)
• Damien Wilson (30)
• Jayon Brown (28)
• Tae Crowder (26)
A first-round pick by the Tennessee Titans out of Alabama in the 2018 NFL Draft, Evans has 21 career tackles for loss and has averaged 106 stops over the last four seasons. In his first season with Atlanta in 2022, Evans had a career-high 159 tackles, including six for loss, two sacks, and 86 solo stops.
With five career sacks and 21 pressures, Evans has proven to be a capable blitzer. He's also relentless against the run and has a good football IQ. However, he has shown inconsistencies in pass coverage and has given up an average 96.7 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks over his career.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the ball under pressure from Chargers linebacker Kyle Van Noy (8). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY
A highly accomplished veteran, Van Noy was a second-round choice in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions out of BYU. Detroit traded him to the New England Patriots in 2016, where he was a major contributor for three AFC title teams and two Super Bowl champions in four years.
Van Noy has played for three teams (Dolphins, Patriots, and Chargers) in the last three years. He has three career interceptions to go along with 23 fumbles forced or recovered, 39 sacks, 71 QB hits, and 52 tackles for loss. Perhaps he's lost a step, but he can still be a valuable situational player.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Damien Wilson (57) motions to his teammates against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY
A teammate of Tyrann Mathieu, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Khalen Saunders in 2019 and 2020 with the Kansas City Chiefs, Wilson was a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Minnesota by the Dallas Cowboys. In eight seasons with four teams, he has an interception, nine sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and five fumble recoveries.
Last season with the Carolina Panthers, Wilson had two sacks and four tackles for loss in reserve duty. At 6-feet and 243-Lbs., he a downhill run stopper that has solid awareness in zone coverage, but struggles in man responsibilities.
Tennessee Titans linebacker Jayon Brown (55) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram II (14). Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY
Brown was a fifth-round choice in the 2017 NFL Draft out of UCLA by the Tennessee Titans. He spent five seasons there, compiling four interceptions, breaking up 30 passes, and recording 9.5 sacks to go along with 17 tackles for loss.
Brown's first and only season with the Raiders in 2022 was an injury-marred campaign that limited him to just eight games. He is very good in pass coverage, both man and zone responsibilities. He's willing against the run, but struggles instinctively and can be pushed off the ball regularly.
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder (48). Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
A seventh-round pick out of Georgia by the New York Giants in 2020, Crowder has been a special teamer throughout most of his three-year career. However, injuries at linebacker forced him into a more prominent role for the Giants in 2021. That season, he led the team with 130 tackles, including three for loss, while intercepting two passes, breaking up six others, and recording a sack to go along with four pressures.
Crowder was released by the Giants towards the end of last year after a reduced role, finishing the year on the Steelers practice squad. A lanky athlete at 6'3" and 235-Lbs., Crowder could be valuable in passing situations and make a special teams contribution.
The Saints are set with a fantastic starting duo of Demario Davis and Pete Werner as their top two linebackers. However, the team is short on depth and experience after the offseason free-agent departure of Kaden Elliss.
Zack Baun has been a poor fit in this defense since the Saints selected him in third-round of the 2020 Draft. D'Marco Jackson has had nice moments in camp, but has no NFL experience after missing all of his rookie campaign. Andrew Dowell had a strong start to training camp, but was lost for the year with a knee injury.
Other candidates include undrafted rookies Anfernee Orji and Nick Anderson, Nephi Sewell, Ty Summers, and Ryan Connelly. All are potential special teams contributors. However, none have any significant NFL experience and only Summers and Connelly were NFL draft picks.
Even after signing Smith, perhaps the Saints are able to circle back and sign Barr. New Orleans opens their preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. All eyes should be on the linebacker spot. The team claimed to like what they had at the position, evident by the fact that they did little to upgrade here this offseason. Sunday's game could be a telling tale on whether they were right.
