It can take some time for an NFL player to develop into the talent expected when a team drafts them. Whether that is due to the situation the player finds himself in, the depth in front of the player or the supporting cast of the team. The New Orleans Saints have quite a few players who haven’t made the desired impact but are primed for a breakthrough in 2019. These players will only add to the juggernaut NFL squad that the team in the Big Easy is building.
CB Eli Apple
What a player to start with, Eli Apple went through a chaotic stay with the New York Giants. Last season, the Saints traded away a 2019 fourth-round pick to New York for a player that had some issues on and off the field. The trade was best for both Apple and the Giants. In fact, there has been a lot of noise from the Giants franchise as a whole.
In 2017, Apple was suspended for the final game of the season due to “a pattern of behavior that is conduct detrimental to the team.” Later in the week, former Giants DB Landon Collins called Apple a “cancer.” Collins would then apologize for his remarks. However, the damage in New York was done. During the 2018 season, Apple started all the games he played when healthy and played well, which led to his change of scenery.
It took a couple of weeks for Apple to acclimate to his new squad. However, he became a force to be reckoned with in the Saints secondary. In the ten games he played for New Orleans, Apple picked off the ball twice, double the amount he had in his tenure with the Giants.
New Orleans could not have been a better destination, either. Apple is surrounded by former teammates from Ohio State: Marshon Lattimore and Vonn Bell, giving him a familiar environment. Also, he will be pushed in practice by a top-five wide receiver in Michael Thomas, and a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees which will only continue to improve his skills. There is no reason not to think Apple will continue to grow and become a cornerstone for the Saints secondary.
RB Latavius Murray
A good rushing attack is vital to the success of the New Orleans Saints offense. Over the past two seasons, New Orleans has seen that through the duo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram pounding the rock. However, there is a new right-hand man for Kamara this year.
Murray has been a reliable number two option over his past two seasons in Minnesota and even became the starter at times due to Dalvin Cook’s injuries. Kamara will easily be the best back Murray has played with throughout his career, but we saw the Saints willingness to spread the carries around. Additionally, Murray will benefit from an improvement in offensive line moving from Minnesota to New Orleans.
There has not been a 1,000-yard rusher in Minnesota since Adrain Peterson’s last full season in 2015. For New Orleans, it was 2017 when Ingram ran for 1,124. The pair of Ingram and Kamara also became the first duo in NFL history to both have at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage. Murray, like Ingram, is known for being a between-the-tackles rusher. A timeshare with Kamara should allow Murray to play his game while also not having to carry the entire rushing attack.
LB Alex Anzalone
Some might see this name and say Alex Anzalone broke out last year. To an extent, you would be correct. During his 2018 campaign, Anzalone burst onto the scene. He racked up 44 solo tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception, and two touchdowns. He also did all of this while in a timeshare with seven-year veteran A.J. Klein. Klein out-snapped Anzalone 734 to 543 throughout the regular and postseason, a difference of just under 200.
Anzalone is proving to be the Saints succession plan after Klein’s contract expires at the end of this season. Thriving in pass coverage, Anzalone covered and ran with tight ends all season, while also adding pressure to the quarterback. In his third season, look for him to work on reading keys. It is also crucial for Anzalone to improve his understanding of running plays to have an impact on earlier downs.
New Orleans should up Anzalone’s snap count after his performance this past season. It also would not be surprising to see him become the starting middle linebacker at some point in the season. If he continues his hard work, the stat line this season could be astronomical.
DE Trey Hendrickson
Had I not already written about him, this section would be about defensive end Marcus Davenport, but you can find that article here.
At this point, the starting defensive ends are in place. Barring a massive regression or injury, Cameron Jordan and Davenport should be the first options on the end of the defensive line. Past that, however, it is open season for the rotation spots between Mario Edwards, Carl Granderson, Corbin Kaufusi, and the only other DE that saw snaps last season, Trey “T-Rex” Hendrickson.
The departure of Alex Okafor gives Hendrickson the perfect opportunity to garner more play time this upcoming season. He shows the ability on passing downs as an all-out speed rusher. With few names on the depth chart, there is a spot in the rotation for T-Rex.
Last season, Hendrickson was on the field for just 78 snaps. However, in that small sample, he was able to pressure the QB ten times with three hits and seven hurries. That means he was pressuring the quarterback on 12.8% of the snaps he played. Now, while Davenport had three times the snaps of Hendrickson, he pressured the QB on 10.6% of his snaps.
While Hendrickson has struggled with defending the run, the Saints have some players who are monsters in that respect. On the other hand, the pass rush, outside of Cameron Jordan, has struggled a fair bit. Last season, Hendrickson graded as the second highest ranked pass rusher for the Saints.
Outside of Jordan and Davenport, the Saints are rebuilding the defensive line rotation. With that in mind, it is T-Rex’s time to start seeing the field more and increasing his snap count. He can show the force he can be in the pass rush. Hendrickson is a worthwhile investment for the Saints because of what he offers, he is going to chase and take down the QB, and that is where the New Orleans Saints need the help.