ESPN pegs Saints as best fit for two-time Super Bowl champ
It was an overhaul of sorts for the New Orleans Saints when it came to their defensive line. Out the door went defensive tackles David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle as well as edge rusher Marcus Davenport. New Orleans countered with Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd and snagged a few more bodies in the NFL Draft. […]
It was an overhaul of sorts for the New Orleans Saints when it came to their defensive line. Out the door went defensive tackles David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle as well as edge rusher Marcus Davenport.
New Orleans countered with Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd and snagged a few more bodies in the NFL Draft. However, there's another veteran on the market that would certainly make up for the Saints' losses in the offseason on the defensive line.
Frank Clark has spent the previous four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and made the Pro Bowl in three of them thanks to 18.5 sacks in those years. ESPN feels the edge rusher would be best served to take his talents to New Orleans.
"The Saints addressed their front during the draft, adding defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and defensive end Isaiah Foskey with their first two picks. I would still look at Clark, however, because of his traits and the upside he would bring to coach Dennis Allen's scheme.
"Clark can align in the Saints' loaded fronts to get edge one-on-ones opposite Cameron Jordan and loop inside on stunts and twists. In the Chiefs' postseason run to a Super Bowl title, Clark had 2.5 sacks and six pressures, so we know he still has some pass-rush juice. For a New Orleans team that wants to compete for the NFC South title, he could help in nickel and dime fronts."-Matt Bowen, ESPN
Clark has been a consistent player throughout his career. His rookie season is his only under five sacks. Over his four seasons with the Chiefs, he was between 44 to 47 pressures and 28 to 30 hurries in each, two of them which he helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl.
Of course, the Saints have Cam Jordan who can still bring it on the edge. Adding Clark would give the Saints two experienced book ends on the defensive line and will allow a guy like Foskey to learn and develop.
He's entering his ninth season so Clark won't demand an outrageous salary and the Saints currently have $14.3 million in cap space. General manager Mickey Loomis should at least consider giving Clark a call and try to add some more juice to the Saints' defensive front.
Feature image via Cheryl Evans/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
