Fansided
Who Dat Dish
Home/Saints News

Predicting the Saints 2016 rookie class production

clok
Aug 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; A New Orleans Saints helmet rests on the bench prior to the Saints
Aug 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; A New Orleans Saints helmet rests on the bench prior to the Saints /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive back Vonn Bell speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive back Vonn Bell speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Vonn Bell, Free Safety

As Saints fans have gradually become accustomed to, the front office of the New Orleans Saints took an aggressive approach in the 2016 NFL draft by trading up two times. The first time, they traded up in the 2nd Round to acquire Vonn Bell, the free safety from Ohio State. It was a “best available player” type of move from the Saints. That’s something we have seen many times over the years.

Safety was definitely not one of the highest priorities. The pass rush needed help, the cornerback depth looked awfully thin last season, and the offensive guard spot did not have a secure starter (they still don’t). But a player like Bell, who many predicted to get picked in the late part of the 1st Round, was simply too good to pass up for the Saints.

Maybe safety wasn’t the biggest priority, but just as Ryan Berger wrote on this site, he can help change the entire style of the New Orleans Saints defense. In 2013, the Saints had three safeties on the field for more than half of their snaps. That year, the Saints had the 4th overall defense. Now, the Saints can do that again with Jairus Byrd and Bell covering the back and Kenny Vaccaro being the hybrid safety/outside linebacker he has excelled at his entire professional career.

Even though the Saints already have two starting safeties, Bell should get plenty of opportunities in 2016.

Projection: 16 games played (6 starts), 2 interceptions, 9 passes defended, 2 recovered fumbles, 48 tackles 

Next: David Onyemata

facebooktwitterreddit