The New Orleans Saints were selective in free agency and Willie Gay Jr. was the first major free agent pick up. He’s also the first free agent on our top-five offseason addition rankings.
And the veteran linebacker has a very clear role in the Saints defense before ever taking a snap. Gay will be one of the three linebackers in the Saints base defense. It isn’t guaranteed, but it would be shocking if that wasn’t the floor for him on the defense. He’ll also compete with Pete Werner for the coveted spot next to Demario Davis in New Orleans’ more popular two-linebacker formations.
Pro Football Focus has already projected him to win this battle and called Davis and Gay a top-10 linebacker unit. That speaks volumes to how the free agency pick up raises the roof of the linebacker corps and defense.
Gay’s speed and functional athleticism is the part of his game that creates the most excitement. It’s also a huge advantage he has over his competitor. The Saints’ struggles going sideline to sideline creates a heavier emphasis on speed.
If Gay walked in the room as a guaranteed starter, he’d be one spot higher on the list. He, however, is faced with a tough battle. That fight lands him fourth on the list, for now.
