Under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, the New Orleans Saints are expected to run a different defensive scheme than the one we've seen for almost two decades.
Staley was part of a 3-4 base scheme as an assistant linebacker coach with the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos. He'd run that same system as successful defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams and a less successful stint as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
There is some question whether the Saints have enough linebackers for Staley's system. Veterans Demario Davis and Pete Werner are a given and would fit any scheme. Beyond those two, the Saints have special teams ace D'Marco Jackson and two undrafted players in Anfernee Orji and Nephi Sewell.
Perhaps these three will fit well into Staley's defense. It's also possible that New Orleans re-signs veteran Willie Gay Jr. after a subpar year. Many believe that the Saints will target a linebacker in the draft. Another likely solution is to sign a free agent linebacker that has played for Staley and knows his system.
There is another linebacker that has probably slipped under the radar of some Saints fans. This is because we saw little of him in his rookie year because of early injuries. However, it was also clear that the team held him in high esteem.
Jaylan Ford, LB
Ford was the third of three fifth-round picks that the Saints made in the 2024 NFL Draft. The first two fifth-rounders were South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler and Pitt WR Bub Means.
A situational player at Texas his first two seasons, Ford became a vital starter on the Longhorns defense over his last two years. In that two-year span, he'd record 220 total tackles while earning 1st Team All-Big 12 honors twice. His 119 stops in 2022 were second in the conference.
Ford wasn't just a tackling machine. He was also a big-play artist. Ford accounted for six sacks and 28 tackles for loss. He also intercepted six passes and forced four fumbles, including four picks and three forced fumbles during the 2022 season.
His penchant for big plays, athleticism, and size at 6'2" and 240-Lbs. are what enamored the Saints into drafting Ford. Unfortunately, a nagging groin injury severely limited his reps during training camp and preseason.
Ford, 23, still made the 53-man active roster out of training camp despite a lack of preseason action but was inactive for the first two games. He'd see his first official NFL game in Week 3, playing four special teams snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ford played only on special teams for the next five games before being a gameday inactive for six consecutive weeks.
Back on special teams duty for three games, Ford suffered a broken fibula while covering a kick against the Raiders in Week 16. The nature of the injury could sideline him through offseason activities and possibly into training camp.
Ford played in eight games as a rookie. He did not play a single defensive snaps, playing 104 on special teams and recording four tackles.
Some knocks against Ford coming into last year's draft were doubts about his natural instincts. However, nobody doubted his athleticism, physicality, and tenacity.
At Texas, Ford displayed strength and agility traits that may allow him to play any of the linebacker spots in any scheme.
Ford has the power to stand up blockers and blow up inside running plays. He'll need to show that he has an instinctive feel for the game but has outstanding reactive skills and an impressive closing burst to the ball.
Ford's athleticism allows him to stay with tight ends or backs all over the field in man coverage. In zone coverages, he shows good agility and quickness to go along with his elite ball skills. He's also shown that he can be an effective blitzer, either inside or outside the tackles.
Unproven, Ford will need to show that he can break down NFL offenses to be a viable every down defender. However, last year's New Orleans regime indicated that they believed he was up to the task.
Despite his lack of preseason reps, the Saints kept Ford on the active roster heading into the season. Similarly, they kept him on the active roster throughout the year rather than trying to place him on the practice squad.
Why? The answer is actually very simple.
New Orleans would have had to release Ford and subject him to waivers in order to bring him back to the practice squad initially. Once on the practice squad, Ford could have been poached by another team for their active roster.
The Saints felt that Ford's talents, even as a fifth-round pick, would be recognized and snatched up by another team. Whether his impressive abilities are a fit for new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley only time will tell. However, it could be an indicator by how heavily the Saints address the linebacker position in free agency and the draft.
