Saints' recent move reminds them of a big mistake from their past
The New Orleans Saints just signed a linebacker. Former Pro Bowler and early second-round pick Jaylon Smith is headed to The Big Easy. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Saints add needed depth at LB, but the move also brings up a touchy subject. The Saints' first-round pick […]
The New Orleans Saints just signed a linebacker. Former Pro Bowler and early second-round pick Jaylon Smith is headed to The Big Easy. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Saints add needed depth at LB, but the move also brings up a touchy subject.
The Saints' first-round pick in 2016 was Sheldon Rankins. The interior defensive lineman wasn't a bad player in New Orleans, but he didn't get extended by the Saints. His impact in the run game was noticeable, but Rankins provided little on the pass rush side. Ultimately, he wasn't worth the first-round selection in the end for the Saints.
During his draft season, Smith was returning from an ACL injury sustained in college. He suffered it in Notre Dame's Bowl game. That pushed him down boards, and the first round became unlikely for him. Hindsight being 20/20, though, the Saints would have been happy if they grabbed him in the first round. They needed an impact linebacker, and Smith was exactly that during his time with Dallas.
Add in the fact that the Saints really liked Smith during his final college season. It all melds into a perfect "What if?" situation for New Orleans.
Linebacker depth in New Orleans was rough then, and it isn't very good now, either. After the injury to Andrew Dowell, LB3 is wide open. There's little proven experience at the NFL behind Demario Davis and Pete Werner. Accordingly, the Saints are hoping that Smith can fill that void. His sure-tackling can be important for the defense's depth, and he's still just 28 years old.
Maybe, Smith can be a key depth piece now, and the Saints can feel a tad better about their decision in 2016.
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