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

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 27: Marshon Lattimore of Ohio State reacts with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked /

Cornerback

The Saints corner group should be vastly improved over what they showed the league last year. Delvin Breaux had a great rookie season in 2015, but he broke his leg in week one of 2016. That injury hampered him noticeably after he returned for eight more games. The Saints also used their first round draft pick on Marshon Lattimore, the player widely regarded as the best cover corner in the draft. He will transition well to the NFL, particularly against the Lions smaller receiver group.

PJ Williams is another player to watch. He should have a shot at the nickel role for the Saints but is coming off a horrible concussion in week two of 2016. He missed the remainder of the season. Williams was a third round pick out of Notre Dame in 2016. He will face competition from De’Vante Harris for the Nickel role. The undrafted corner out of Texas A&M very nearly won a starting job as a rookie.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 27: Kenny Vaccaro /

Safety

The Saints have drafted three safeties in the first two rounds of the draft since 2013. Kenny Vaccaro has been an above average starter for them, but that is not what you expect from a player taken 15th overall He is playing under the franchise tag in 2017 and will be looking to have a big year. In 2016 they added Vonn Bell. He made a lot of tackles because of the Saints horrible corner and linebacker play in his rookie season. Marcus Williams was drafted in

Marcus Williams was drafted in 2017 but is coming out of Utah. He will likely need a year to adjust to the size and speed of the NFL. Williams has incredible athleticism, but will likely not play much until Vaccaro leaves next year.

The Saints also added Rafael Bush to their group. Lions fans can only hope that Bush ends up covering Eric Ebron in the Saints three safety looks. It was something the Saints did a lot in 2016. Improved corner and linebacker play may make them less reliant on that formation in 2017 though.

SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 04: Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. /

Specialists

The Saints will field Thomas Morstead at punter and Will Lutz at kicker. Morstead has a powerful leg. He averaged 48.3 yards per punt in 2016. Lutz was 8-8 from 40-49 yards, but only 3-7 from 50+ in his rookie year. his overall field goal percentage of 82.4 was acceptable but not great.

Tedd Ginn will likely be returning every kick the Saints receive in 2017 barring injury. It is the thing that has kept Ginn employed since 2007. He is a danger to take any kick back for a very long distance with his blazing speed.

Next: Early look at the Carolina Panthers

Conclusion

The Saints have made moves to potentially improve their team in 2017. They will feel the loss of Nick Fairley in the middle of their defense, but the improvement of their back seven should counter that loss. The Lions offense will likely be able to move the ball utilizing their tight ends and running backs but could face a great deal of pressure from Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins. Running the ball could be significantly more difficult.

The Saints will get as far as their new offensive line configuration can push them against the Lions Defense. If Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram are reaching the second level of the defense untouched, the Lions week six match up could end in a loss for the Lions.

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