Demario Davis, Pete Werner, and Willie Gay are a formidable trio, and the New Orleans Saints invested a lot to get better play out of their linebackers this offseason. In addition to signing Gay as competition for Werner, they brought in free agents like Khaleke Hudson plus rookies including Jaylan Ford (a fifth-round draft pick) and Isaiah Stalbird (whose contract ranked high in guarantees for undrafted players). That’s with backups returning from last year’s team such as D’Marco Jackson, Anfernee Orji, and Monty Rice. Nephi Sewell is the best of the bunch but he’s recovering from a late-season knee injury.
So where does ESPN rank the Saints’ linebacker corps among all 32 teams? ESPN’s Mike Clay broke down all position groups for every team in the NFL, and he believes the Saints are knocking on the door to field a top-five linebacker group in 2024:
32. Tennessee Titans
Kenneth Murray, Jack Gibbens, Cedric Gray, Otis Reese, Garret Wallow
31. Los Angeles Chargers
Denzel Perryman, Nick Niemann, Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson, Troy Dye
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben VanSumeren
29. Green Bay Packers
Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Eric Wilson
28. Arizona Cardinals
Kyzir White, Krys Barnes, Mack Wilson, Owen Pappoe, Markus Bailey
27. Indianapolis Colts
Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Segun Olubi, Grant Stuard, Jaylon Carlies
26. Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, Justin Strnad, Durell Nchami
25. Dallas Cowboys
Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, Markquese Bell, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau
24. Minnesota Vikings
Ivan Pace Jr., Blake Cashman, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Brian Asamoah, Abraham Beauplan
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lavonte David, K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis, J.J. Russell, Vi Jones
22. Los Angeles Rams
Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, Jake Hummel, Olakunle Fatukasi
21. Houston Texans
Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, Henry To’oTo’o, Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill, Neville Hewitt
20. Las Vegas Raiders
Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo, Luke Masterson, Amari Burney, Tommy Eichenberg
19. Atlanta Falcons
Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, JD Bertrand, Milo Eifler
18. New York Giants
Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Isaiah Simmons, Matthew Adams, Darius Muasau
17. Miami Dolphins
Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr., Duke Riley, Anthony Walker, Channing Tindall
16. Detroit Lions
Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
15. Baltimore Ravens
Roquan Smith, Malik Harrison, Trenton Simpson, Chris Board, Josh Ross
14. Seattle Seahawks
Jerome Baker, Tyrel Dodson, Tyrice Knight, Jon Rhattigan, Drake Thomas
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
Patrick Queen, Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson
12. New England Patriots
Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki, Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris
11. Kansas Ciry Chiefs
Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Joe Bachie, Devin Harper
9. Carolina Panthers
Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis
8. Buffalo Bills
Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Nicholas Morrow, Deion Jones, Dorian Williams
7. Cleveland Browns
Jordan Hicks, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Devin Bush, Tony Fields II, Nathaniel Watson
6. New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Willie Gay Jr., Khaleke Hudson, Jaylan Ford
5. Chicago Bears
T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Micah Baskerville
4. New York Jets
C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Chazz Surratt, Marcelino McCrary-Ball
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, Ventrell Miller, Caleb Johnson
2. San Francisco 49ers
Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, De’Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters
1. Washington Commanders
Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jamin Davis, Mykal Walker, Jordan Magee
