Saints Training Camp Preview: Linebacker

The Saints have one of the NFL's best defenders at LB and one of the league's better duos, but tons of other questions here as they enter training camp.

The New Orleans Saints have a rich history of standout linebackers. The Dome Patrol foursome of Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Sam Mills, and Vaughan Johnson through the mid-1980s and early 1990s is the best unit in NFL history. Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle, Scott Fujita, Keith Mitchell, Mark Fields, Renaldo Turnbull, Joe Federspiel, and Jim Merlo have also made significant impacts in franchise history. 

Since being added as a free agent in 2018, Demario Davis has surpassed all but perhaps Jackson, Mills, and Swilling in terms of franchise greats at linebacker. Davis is among the NFL's best defensive players at any position. In 2021, the Saints also added LB Pete Werner to join Davis. 

Werner and Davis make up one of the NFL's better tandem of linebackers. However, the free-agent departure of Kaden Elliss after a breakout season creates a critical question for New Orleans as they head into training camp.

Saints Training Camp Roster - LB

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) in action against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

• Demario Davis 

• Pete Werner 

• D'Marco Jackson 

• Zack Baun 

• Anfernee Orji*

• Nick Anderson*

• Andrew Dowell 

• Ty Summers 

• Ryan Connelly 

• Nephi Sewell 

(* = Rookie)

New Orleans got another outstanding outing from Davis in 2022. He finished with a team-high 109 tackles, including 10 for loss. It was his sixth straight year of over 100 tackles, his 10th consecutive year with at least 99 stops, and sixth straight campaign with double-digit tackles for a loss.

Davis also had a career-high 6.5 sacks to go along with 10 pressures, proving extremely effective as a blitzer. He was also exemplary in pass coverage, grabbing one of the team’s seven interceptions and breaking up four passes.

Davis is an equally special defender against the run, as a pass rusher, and in coverage. Few players possess his combination of athleticism, versatility, and sideline-to-sideline pursuit. However, it's Davis' elite instincts and tenacity that make him invaluable to the New Orleans defense. 

New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Keaontay Ingram (30). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY

Werner's addition as a second-round choice in 2021 gave Davis an outstanding running mate at linebacker. After showing promise as a rookie sharing time with Kwon Alexander, Werner took on the full-time second LB spot last year. He responded with a strong campaign. 

Werner, 24, was leading the NFL in tackles at mid-season. Unfortunately, an ankle injury suffered in Week 9 forced him to miss five of the next six games and limited him down the stretch. 

Werner still finished with 80 tackles in 12 games, third on the team. Three of those stops were for loss, while his 56 solo tackles trailed only Tyrann Mathieu for the team lead. He was outstanding against the run and adequate in coverage, breaking up three passes and forcing two fumbles. 

Davis consistently makes game-changing plays for the defense, but the Saints need more big plays from Werner in 2023. More concerning is the loss of Elliss, who was spectacular while filling in for an injured Werner last season. 

Training Camp Battles 

• #3 linebacker 

New Orleans Saints linebacker D'Marco Jackson (52) during 2022 rookie camp at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints often employ just two linebackers, but the need for a reliable third has been a huge offseason concern for fans. Davis has missed just one game in five years with the Saints and played every defensive snap in 2022, but he's 34 and is entering his 12th season. Werner has missed some time in each of his first two years. 

With Elliss gone, the remaining linebackers on the Saints roster have a combined 28 games of NFL experience on the defensive side. Zack Baun is responsible for 26 of those contests, with most of them in highly limited duty. Baun, a third-round choice in the 2020 draft, has been an awful fit for the Saints defense from the start and has contributed mostly on special teams. 

D'Marco Jackson was a fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft, but missed all of his rookie year with an injury. Jackson is a fluid athlete with terrific intensity and has a playing style reminiscent of Demario Davis. In his final three collegiate seasons at Appalachian State, Jackson had 11.5 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and broke up 14 passes. He has the versatility and athleticism that the Saints covet, but will have to show he has the awareness and instincts for the NFL level. 

Baun and Jackson will get the first shots at the Number 3 LB job.  However, keep an eye on undrafted rookies Anfernee Orji and Nick Anderson. 

Orji had 198 tackles, 20 stops for a loss, three sacks, an interception, and six fumbles forced or recovered over his final two seasons at Vanderbilt. He's undersized at 6'1" and 230-Lbs., but is a ferocious downhill player with a nose for the ball. Orji also has good enough athleticism and instincts to develop in coverage. 

Sep 30, 2022; Houston Cougars tight end Christian Trahan (85) and Tulane Green Wave linebacker Nick Anderson (1). Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY

Former Tulane star Anderson has a build (5'9", 230-Lbs.) reminiscent of former Dome Patrol icon Sam Mills.  His playing style is also similar to the Hall of Famer. Anderson had 26 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks among 257 total tackles in his last three seasons for the Green Wave. He has an outstanding combination of instincts and discipline that make him a darkhorse contributor. 

Special teamers Dowell, Summers, Connelly, and Sewell need to make strong impressions defensively during the preseason contests. Six of the Saints 10 linebackers were undrafted, and only Davis and Werner have proven themselves. 

New Orleans wanted to see what they had for their third linebacker with an open competition through OTAs and mini-camp. They insist that they like what they have at the position in the offseason, backed up by the fact that it was not addressed at all through the draft or free agency. 

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is stopped by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56). Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY

Don't be surprised if the Saints add a veteran linebacker if they don't like what they see through the early part of camp. Players like Kwon Alexander, Rashaan Evans, Anthony Barr, Myles Jack, and Deion Jones are surprisingly still available. All have the athleticism and versatility to handle the high demands that the Saints have in their linebackers. 

Competition will be heated for depth in the New Orleans linebacking corps. However, the success of the defense still runs through Davis, with the ability of Werner to make more big plays potentially taking the unit to another level.