Early look at the Detroit Lions 2017 Opponents: New Orleans Saints

Edge Rushers

Despite a statistical downturn in 2016, Cameron Jordan remains one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers. He was playing with a sprained MCL in 2016 and still managed 7.5 sacks for the Saints. He is by far the most dangerous element of their defense. Apart from him, the team may struggle on the edge. Situational rusher Hau’oli Kikaha looked promising in 2015 but suffered his third ACL tear. He was a second round pick and has all the talent in the world, but health is a major concern.

Alex Okafor had eight sacks in 2014, but he has managed only 5.5 in the two seasons since. Rookie Trey Hendrickson absolutely blew up the NFL combine this year. He is making the jump from Conference USA though. While he dominated his level of competition, the jump from that level to the NFL is a big one. That former Lion Darryl Tapp has a shot at making the team is not a good sign for the group.

Interior Defensive Line

The Saints looked like they were set for the next few seasons at defensive tackle until Nick Fairley discovered he had a heart condition this offseason. Fairley finally cashed in on his God gifted abilities in 2016. He registered 6.5 sacks. He earned a big multi year contract, and he then abruptly retired. The saints are hardly helpless in the center of their defense, however.

Sheldon Rankins showed the world that he was entirely worthy of the 12th overall spot in the 2016 draft. He played the final nine games for the Saints defense last year. They had 10 sacks, worst in the NFL when he returned. In the nine games Rankins played, the Saints had 20 sacks. He is a player that demands double teams

Rankins showed the world that he was entirely worthy of the 12th overall spot in the 2016 draft. He played the final nine games for the Saints defense last year. They had 10 sacks, worst in the NFL when he returned. In the nine games Rankins played, the Saints had 20 sacks. He is a player that demands double teams and makes the jobs of those around him much simpler. Rankins is likely to see a ton of snaps in the Lions week six match up.

The Saints are banking on Tony McDaniel to provide stalwart run defense for them as a rotational player. He did so for Seattle in 2016 and should continue that for the Saints. The remainder of the Saints Defensive tackle group is unproven and young. Third-year player Tyler Davison, and second-year man out of Manitoba David Onyemata are their best hopes for elevated play. Much like the edge rushers, the Saints interior line is a one man show.

Linebackers

Craig Robertson was the Saints leading tackler in 2016. He was their Tahir Whitehead in more ways than one. He got most of his tackles covering for his own mistakes, and the mistakes of others. Like Whitehead, he faces a vastly different Linebacker room going into training camp. This has led many to question whether he will be in the starting line up in 2017.

Manti Te’o and A.J. Klein were added in free agency. Te’o has not lived up to his pre-draft hype, spending a lot of his three seasons in Sand Diego injured. Klein is a liability in pass coverage. Dannell Ellerbe is their likely WLB starter but is neither a big or particularly athletic defender. He has also missed 31 of the last 48 possible games in his career.

Rookie Alex Anzalone is a physically gifted player, but he spent most of his college career watching from the side line. It is hard to see a future where the Saints Linebacker play is a major factor in the Lions week six match up. at least not in a positive way for the Saints. Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah could easily have great days if they get to the second level of the defense.