5 Under the Radar Saints to Watch on Sunday
We’re all excited to see Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham and Cameron Jordan hit the field for real on Sunday. That’s a given.
But here’s a list of five other Saints to look out for. If these guys play well against the Falcons in week 1, it will bode well for the entire team for the rest of the 2014 season.
Travaris Cadet, RB, 25 years old
There’s been a lot of buzz this off-season around Brandin Cooks, and how he will get a lot of the same touches that former Saint Darren Sproles got the last couple seasons. I’m sure this is true, but I’m also intruiged to see if Cadet gets any Sproles-esque looks. Cadet is a speedy, shifty back who could do some damage in space. I’m not expecting a ton of touches for him on Sunday, but it’ll be interesting to see if Sean Payton and company try to find Cadet a couple times on screens and swing passes. Not to mention Cadet will also likely be returning kicks, another area where New Orleans could use a boost.
Kasim Edebali, LB, 25
I’m pumped that this kid ended up making the final roster. When I profiled him a couple months ago, he became my favorite undrafted free agent the team brought in, and his play throughout the preseason just hammered this home even more. Edebali probably won’t get a ton of snaps on defense, but has a chance to immediately make a name for himself amongst the Who Dat Nation with stellar play on special teams. He’s got an unbelievable motor, and could be the next great undrafted find in New Orleans.
Joe Morgan, WR, 26
Morgan beat out long-time Saint Robert Meachem for a roster spot coming out of training camp, meaning the coaching staff must like the kid (Meachem is back on the roster now). After missing all of last season with a knee injury, Morgan came back strong this year, impressing in camp and in preseason games as a great blocker and deep threat. He profiles as more of a third receiver for New Orleans, but with Kenny Stills likely out for Sunday’s clash in Atlanta, Morgan could get a shot as the number two guy. Let’s hope he can make a couple big plays.
Jonathan Goodwin, C, 35
On one hand, Goodwin isn’t really “under-the-radar” since he was one of the most significant off-season signings the Saints made this summer. On the other hand, he’s a center, generally a position no one cares about. No doubt, New Orleans has some question marks along the offensive line. A good performance from Goodwin on Sunday could go a long way in answering some of these. Goodwin doesn’t have to be elite for the o-line to be successful, he just has to be consistent. I can’t wait to see if the veteran is up to the task this weekend.
David Hawthorne, LB, 29
I’m not sure Hawthorne is that good. I mean, he’s an ok middle linebacker, sure. But I just don’t know if he’s actually good. Which is why I’m going to be watching him closely on Sunday. Hawthorne’s trademark is his run defense, and he’ll need to be stout in this area again this year. The Saints need Hawthorne to be a productive run stopper to repeat as a top-5 defense, and we’ll get a first glimpse at the 2014 version of him on Sunday. Man, I hope he is good.