Saints Unheralded Defenders Making Roster Decisions Difficult

Overlooked by most coming into training camp, these Saints defensive players are making strong cases for a roster spot.

The defense of the New Orleans Saints is one of the better and more deeper units in the league. When looking at their depth chart, it felt easy to project most of the roster spots coming into training camp. There's been a few players that appear to be making those roster decisions more difficult, at least after one preseason game. 

Most of the attention was on the new-look Saints offense in their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, three backup New Orleans defenders also made their presence known. Here's a closer look at those players and how they could make roster decisions more difficult for the New Orleans coaches. 

Ugo Amadi, S 

New Orleans Saints safety Ugo Amadi (0) during training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Amadi came into the Kansas City game listed fourth on the depth chart at free safety. He'd play 35 defensive snaps against the Chiefs, third highest among Saints defenders. Inserted into the game earlier than anticipated, Amadi recorded an interception during the second quarter. 

The interception was noteworthy because the Saints had a franchise-low seven of them last season, second fewest in the NFL. Amadi did a great job athletically tracking down the tipped pass, but was also in excellent support position on the play.

More than just the turnover, he also provided exemplary run support and was an aggressive special teams gunner on his reps. Amadi has also flashed those same traits during the first few weeks of training camp and has turned heads with some athletic pass breakups. 

An undersized safety at 5'9" and 210-Lbs., Amadi packs a punch as a tackler and has terrific coverage range. He's been mostly a special teamer since being a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft out of Oregon by the Seattle Seahawks. Special teams will be Amadi's best way to make the team, but he could also supplant an underperforming vet if he continues standout defensive play.

Ty Summers, LB 

New Orleans Saints LB Ty Summers (42) during a training camp practice. Credit: New Orleans Saints team site 

Summers played 25 defensive snaps against the Chiefs, second among New Orleans linebackers, and 13 more on special teams. He was credited with a team-high five tackles and flowed decisively through traffic to the ball. His ability to play both the middle and weak side spots also displayed versatility and a good football IQ. 

A seventh-round choice of the Green Bay Packers in the 2019 NFL Draft, Summers has quietly played four seasons of mostly special teams duty. With special teams ace Andrew Dowell (knee) out for the year, Summers and the other inexperienced linebackers on the roster have their best chances for roster spots in this way.

Summers has also made some impressive plays in coverage defensively during camp. Continuing to shine in that capacity could vault him over undrafted rookies Anfernee Orji and Nick Anderson, and perhaps even veteran Zack Baun, for a final roster spot.

Nephi Sewell, LB

New Orleans Saints linebacker Nephi Sewell (45) blocks Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) on a punt. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

Sewell got the start in the middle for an injured Demario Davis against Kansas City. He played 19 defensive snaps and was part of a unit that held the Chiefs to just 31 yards on 12 plays in their first three drives. Sewell also appeared in 16 special teams plays.

A safety at the start of his collegiate career at Nevada, Sewell switched to linebacker after transferring to Utah. He was signed by the Saints as an undrafted rookie in 2022 and spent most of the campaign on the practice squad. 

Sewell is a solidly built athlete at 6-feet and 228-Lbs. who moves well in open space and displays terrific instincts. Overlooked by most coming into camp, he's consistently made plays in both coverage and against the run. Like Summers, he's also been a noticeable factor on kick coverage units.

Linebacker depth was considered a major concern for the Saints this offseason. Last week's signing of former Pro Bowler Jaylon Smith and the development of second-year LB D'Marco Jackson could hopefully remedy that.

Nephi Sewell and Ty Summers have both been impressive during their defensive reps and are making strong statements towards a roster spot. They'll have to hold off Anderson, Orji, Ryan Connelly, and may still have work to do to overtake incumbent Baun.

Their next game opportunities will be during two days of scrimmages against the Los Angeles Chargers Thursday and Friday before a preseason contest against the Chargers on Sunday. At the very least, Sewell and Summers, along with Ugo Amadi, are showing that New Orleans coaches may not have easy roster decisions on the defensive side after all.