Saints Potential Breakout Veterans for 2023
NFL teams have players that seemingly come out of nowhere to be major contributors. The league is littered with late-round draft picks or undrafted rookies that have seen immediate success. Sometimes, a late-blooming veteran also bursts onto the scene.
The New Orleans Saints are no stranger to this phenomenon. Lance Moore and Willie Snead emerged from obscurity after bouncing around the league their first few years to make major impacts as receivers for the Saints. Linebackers Scott Shanle and Scott Fujita were considered backup journeymen. Each stepped up to play critical roles on Sean Payton's early New Orleans teams.
Kaden Elliss is the latest example of this kind of success. A seventh-round pick in 2019, Elliss was little more than a backup and special teams contributor his first three years. An injury to LB Pete Werner allowed Elliss to flourish in a much bigger role. His explosive breakout performance over the last half of the season caused rival Atlanta to lure him away with a big contract.
Who are some potential breakout performers on the Saints roster this season?
Players like corners Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo, along with TE Juwan Johnson and DE Carl Granderson spring to mind. However, we've seen standout play from them already. Two other players to watch are second-year LB D'Marco Jackson and S Smoke Monday. Jackson (fifth round) and Monday (undrafted) are essentially rookies after each missed all of 2022 with training camp injuries.
These are some New Orleans players that we've seen little from so far, but could surprise people in 2023.
Bryan Edwards, WR
Dec 20, 2021; Raiders receiver Bryan Edwards (89) catches a touchdown pass against Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21). Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
A third-round choice out of South Carolina in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, Edwards was a teammate of new Saints QB Derek Carr for his first two seasons. The best year of his three-year career was in 2021, when he was third on the team with 571 yards on 34 catches.
Edwards, just 24, was traded to the Atlanta Falcons last offseason. He'd catch just three passes in seven games before being released at mid-season. Over his three-year career, Edwards has 48 receptions for 779 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was consistently productive at South Carolina, catching 234 balls for 3,045 yards and 22 scores over four collegiate seasons.
At 6'3" and 212-Lbs., Edwards is a big and physical receiver who works the middle of the field and sidelines. His lack of speed can cause issues getting separation, but he also has important chemistry with Carr.
Edwards could provide valuable insurance if physical WR Michael Thomas continues to struggle with injuries. Outside of the perpetually disappointing Tre'Quan Smith, the Saints don't have any other wideout with the size and physicality Edwards provides if Thomas misses time again.
Zack Baun, LB
Aug 14, 2021; New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun (53) applies pressure on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Trace McSorley (7). Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans grabbed Baun in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. He was an extremely disruptive defender for the Badgers, recording 27 stops for loss his last two years and 12.5 sacks during his senior season. However, he was a very undersized defensive end in college. The Saints believed he could be converted to an outside linebacker because of his strength and athleticism.
Baun was never a good fit in the New Orleans defensive scheme. Listed at 6'3" and 225-Lbs., he was too small for defensive end and a liability in open space at linebacker. Over his first three seasons, Baun played only 359 defensive snaps and has just 40 tackles.
Like Elliss, Baun has been a key special teams contributor for the Saints. He may need to show more than that to keep a roster spot this season. Many consider Baun on the roster bubble heading into training camp. He'll be competing with the likes of D'Marco Jackson, Anfernee Orji, Nick Anderson, and Andrew Dowell for spots behind starters Demario Davis and Pete Werner.
Remember that Elliss showed little defensively before breaking out in 2022. Now that he's gone, Jackson and the 26-year-old Baun get the first shots at the third linebacker spot. The Saints signed no veteran linebackers this offseason, perhaps envisioning the same kind of sudden development from Baun that they got from Elliss.
Johnathan Abram, S
Sep 19, 2021; Raiders safety Jonathan Abram tackles Pittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after a short gain. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Abram wasn't exactly unheralded when he entered the NFL. He was the 27th overall choice in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. The Oakland Raiders made him the second safety drafted that season.
A torn rotator cuff ended Abram's rookie year after just one game. Over the next two seasons, Abram intercepted three passes, broke up 10 others, and had eight tackles for loss among 202 combined stops. The Raiders released him midway through last season and he'd finish out the year as a backup for the Packers and Seahawks.
Abram just never had the range or instincts needed for a deep safety in the NFL. He was also a liability in coverage, allowing nearly 75% completion rate when targeted in his career.
Abram, just 26, is an extremely physical safety at 6-feet and 205-Lbs. He's been at his best around the line of scrimmage and has also shown to be a capable blitzer with 19 QB pressures over the last three seasons.
The Saints have lacked a physical presence at safety since Malcolm Jenkins retired. Also a liability in coverage, New Orleans knew how to use Jenkins' strengths in their defense. Abram could provide those same kind of attributes to a thin safety spot for New Orleans in 2023.
