Saints: Veterans run the show in New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints have quite a bit of young talent to be excited about like wide Chris Olave and rookie defenders Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey. When it comes to who stirs the pot in New Orleans, that distinction belongs to the veterans like wide receiver Michael Thomas, safety Tyrann Mathieu, and cornerback Marshon […]
The New Orleans Saints have quite a bit of young talent to be excited about like wide Chris Olave and rookie defenders Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey.
When it comes to who stirs the pot in New Orleans, that distinction belongs to the veterans like wide receiver Michael Thomas, safety Tyrann Mathieu, and cornerback Marshon Lattimore on the roster. However, a few others recently got praised.
Pro Football Focus deemed edge rusher Cam Jordan, linebacker Demario Davis, and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk as the three best players for the Saints.
"New Orleans struggled last season, but the team's talent suggests 2023 could be a bounce-back year. Cam Jordan and Demario Davis get the legacy spots here. Davis is tied with Tampa’s Lavonte David for the highest cumulative linebacker grade (90.8) since 2019. Jordan is coming off his lowest-graded season since 2015. With him being 33 years old, he might be headed for a consistent decline, but we’ll wait another season to determine that and move him off this list. However, Mathieu earning an 87.2 coverage grade last season deserves a shoutout, putting him in contention here."-Trevor Sikkema, PFF
Jordan despite whatever decline could be coming just had 8.5 sacks and 66 tackles with a Pro Bowl nod in 2022, the second-most of his career. Davis has been with the Saints since 2018 and logged 100 or more tackles in each and has picked up four All-Pro selections. Ramczyk hasn't had a Pro Bowl season since 2020 but he's started 89 games since coming into the NFL and his experience can't be undervalued.
New Orleans also got two guys that could be potential starters on offense in running back Kendre Miller and wide receiver A.T. Perry through the draft, and offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri may end up being a sleeper pick. Mix this youth with the veteran presence on the Saints and 2023 could be a playoff year, especially with how open the NFC South is with Tom Brady's retirement.
Feature image via Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
