As the 2011 NFL draft approaches, it is important to understand where the Saints stand at each major position group. This piece will address a group that is solid but certainly has some questions that could be addressed on draft day: the linebackers.
It’s fair to say that other than quarterback, the Saints middle linebacker situation might be the most stable position on the current roster. Jonathan Vilma quarterbacks the defense as well as any MLB in a 4-3 scheme throughout the league. He is an elite, gap-shooting run-stuffer that gets after the quarterback and covers backs on routes out of the backfield. He is the complete package at the linebacker position.
Like Drew Brees, Vilma is a great example of the tremendous work the Saints front office has done during the Payton/Loomis era. The Saints acquired Vilma in a trade with the New York Jets following the 2007 season, giving up a conditional draft pick to receive one of the best middle linebackers in football. The Jets gave up on Vilma after he was lost for the 2007 season with a bone chip in his knee. The moral of the story is that by taking chances on two players whose former teams had given up on them due to injuries, the Saints acquired the emotional leaders on offense and defense who would ultimately guide them to a Super Bowl victory in Brees and Vilma.
The rest of the Saints linebacking corps isn’t quite so settled. Assuming the reintroduction of 2010 free agency rules, outside linebacker Scott Shanle figures to become an unrestricted free agent once the league year begins. Shanle has been a solid starter, and it is speculated that he will be back with the Saints in 2011, but that doesn’t mean that adding depth at this position isn’t important.
The other outside linebacker spot is the one that should really be the focus of attention. Assuming he re-signs with the Saints, Shanle should start at one of the two OLB positions. The other OLB position, however, saw a four-man rotation during the 2010 regular season, featuring Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Marvin Mitchell, Stanley Arnoux, and Danny Clark.
One of the major storylines of preseason 2010 was what the Saints would do to fill the gap at OLB left by the departure of Scott Fujita, and Jonathan Casillas appeared to be the man for the job before going down with a foot injury. This ultimately gave way to the aforementioned outside linebacker regular season carousel.
Moving into 2011, expect Casillas to vie for the spot that once appeared to be his, in addition to the other four mentioned above. Kawika Mitchell, added late last season, has been a serviceable starter for a number of NFL teams including the Chiefs, Giants, and Bills, but has seen his production drop off over the last year or two.
The Saints best chance at an impact player at this position in the first round of the draft is UCLA’s Akeem Ayers, but this pick doesn’t seem likely. Ayers would probably fit the system, but given all of the above options, it seems like the Saints will probably see defensive line as a more pressing first round need. The Saints would be better off waiting until the second round and hoping that North Carolina’s Bruce Carter or Illinois’ Martez Wilson falls to them at number 56.
