Demario Davis was a relatively under-the-radar free agent signing by the New Orleans Saints in the offseason of 2018. Davis had been a very good player over his first six NFL seasons, but was somewhat unknown to the average fan. He'd go on to be not only the second best free-agent signing in Saints history, but one of the greatest players in the history of the franchise.
Fast-forward six years later. Davis remains not just the heart and soul of the New Orleans defense, but is still one of the league's best linebackers. However, the Saints have done little to surround him with talent at linebacker. Pete Werner, a 2021 second-round draft choice, has been solid. Outside of Werner, draft picks like Zack Baun, Kaden Elliss, and D'Marco Jackson haven't panned out, making this a dangerously thin unit.
With the 35-year-old Davis entering his 13th season, the Saints need to line up a replacement and current running mate. They could do it in the draft, but perhaps the more likely destination will come via free agency. Here are some off-ball linebackers that the Saints could poach off the market.
(age and previous team in parentheses)
• Willie Gay (26 - Chiefs)
• Jerome Baker (27 - Dolphins)
• De'Vondre Campbell (30 - Packers)
• Jordyn Brooks (26 - Seahawks)
• Sione Takitaki (28 - Browns)
• Anthony Walker Jr. (28 - Browns)
• Jordan Hicks (31 - Vikings)
• Josey Jewell (29 - Broncos)
Gay, like Davis was, has been a good but often overlooked player through his first four seasons. He's a fast and physical player capable of good performances in coverage (4 interceptions, 19 passes broken up), as a blitzer (5 sacks, 16 pressures), and against the run (17 tackles for loss, 233 total stops). Gay was a key part of an excellent Kansas City defense that was instrumental in winning back-to-back Super Bowl titles.
Baker's release by Miami came as a bit of a surprise. The Ohio State product has at least 92 tackles in four of the last five seasons, including 31 career stops for loss. His 22.5 career sacks and 60 pressures also prove that he can be a disruptive blitzer. Baker is also more than adequate in coverage, evidenced by his five career interceptions and 22 passes broken up.
Campbell's release by Green Bay onto the open market was also surprising. A heady player with good speed and anticipation, Campbell is always around the ball. He's had at least 90 tackles in six of the last seven years, including 40 career stops for loss. Campbell isn't used often as a blitzer, but moves extremely well in coverage.
Jordyn Brooks is a physical downhill linebacker who creates havoc at the line of scrimmage. Outstanding against the run, Brooks has 23 career tackles for loss and has averaged 152 tackles over the last three seasons. He's not fluid in coverage, but has nice awareness in zone duties.
Hicks has been an underrated all-around defender throughout his nine-year career. He's heady in coverage duties (13 interceptions and 49 passes defensed), a decent complementary pass rusher (14.5 sacks, 33 QB hits), and has excellent awareness against the run. Hicks has eclipsed 105 tackles in each of his last five years, including an impressive average of 79 solo stops over that span and 47 career tackles for loss.
Takitaki is an undersized linebacker with solid awareness and good agility. He's been a situational, part-time starter through much of his career, but is best in a scheme that keeps him in open space. Walker is a tackling machine with underrated coverage awareness. He's dealt with some injuries in recent years, but if healthy is a terrific in-the-box defender with sideline-to-sideline agility.
New Orleans defensive coordinator coached Takitaki for three years and Walker for two seasons in Cleveland.
Jewell has been a consistent player for an otherwise bad Denver team over his six-year career. His 2021 campaign was cut short by injury, but he averaged over 116 tackles in his other three seasons since becoming a full-time starter in 2020. Jewell isn't a standout in coverage, but his solid awareness always puts him around the ball, as evidenced by his 12 career fumbles forced or recovered.
The Saints often employ just two linebackers, thereby asking a lot from the position both athletically and instinctively. Davis has flourished in this role. Werner has had his moments but also has limitations.
New Orleans may add to their linebacking corps through an impressive draft class. While possible, it seems more likely that the Saints add a free agent who can contribute immediately. With Davis winding down a spectacular career, the team would probably look into a slightly younger linebacker with a high football IQ and in the prime of their career.
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