Saints rookie safety Jordan Howden deserves starting role over Marcus Maye
The New Orleans Saints have a plethora of defensive veterans that are key pieces to their roster. That list includes guys like Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu, and Marshon Lattimore. They've also got some impressive play from young, lesser known options this season, though. Rookie safety Jordan Howden has been a pleasant surprise as a fifth-round […]
The New Orleans Saints have a plethora of defensive veterans that are key pieces to their roster. That list includes guys like Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu, and Marshon Lattimore.
They've also got some impressive play from young, lesser known options this season, though. Rookie safety Jordan Howden has been a pleasant surprise as a fifth-round selection from the 2023 NFL Draft. He got some hype in training camp, and now, people understand why.
Howden brings emphatic energy in the secondary for the Saints. He's a physical force at safety that is not afraid to make a tackle. His presence has been necessary with the injury to Marcus Maye.
Maye has played in just seven games this year. So, he's been off the field for just under half of the team's matchups. Maye is now on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, and it's unknown if he will return this year.
Even if Maye can get back on the field for New Orleans this season, he should not be the starter opposite Tyrann Mathieu. It should be Howden, instead.
In his games, Maye has totaled just 37 tackles, two pass deflections, and one sack. His Pro Football Focus coverage grade is just 57.6.
On the flip-side, Howden's production has been impactful, albeit similar in numbers. He's got four pass deflections, though. Plus, his PFF coverage grade is 60.3. His presence has been felt more consistently in the passing and rushing game.
Howden has moved more fluidly than Maye in his action earlier in the season, too. Age and health can do that.
Both players play a similar role in that they can play single-high when necessary, but New Orleans will also send them on blitzes to change the looks for opposing quarterbacks.
Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo are other youthful options in the secondary that have made great strides for the Saints in the past two seasons. Add Howden to that group because he is a notable chess piece to use going forward.
Howden deserves a starting role to prove his upside for the rest of the season – at least.
Maye has just one year left on his contract. He will be 30 years old next season. If he's cut after June 1st, 2024, the Saints would save $7.5 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.
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