Saints’ contract breakdown by position: Linebackers

Stephone Anthony

Four years, $7,731,720, through 2018.

It’s strange to rank a rookie contract so high on this list. Rookie contracts are usually steals by the time a player develops, and in his second year and new role at SLB, we all expected Stephone Anthony to take a step forward from a mixed, but commendable rookie showing.

We were wrong. Anthony has struggled to see the field. In part, that’s because the strong side linebacker doesn’t play in nickel, which the Saints defense has operated out of more regularly than base. But discouragingly, Anthony’s decreased role is primarily the result of poor play. While he possesses the athleticism that the Saints have sorely needed for years, he struggles with the mental aspect of the position.

As Dennis Allen recently said, Anthony is best when he can “run and hit,” and this year Allen is focused on putting him in a position to do just that. The problem is that, if he’s asked to do much else, he struggles. He over-commits on pressure plays, doesn’t react well in coverage and falls for just about every play-fake.

Now, he’s only in his second year in the league, and there’s no reason to believe that he can’t develop into the player the Saints imagined him to be. But for someone who doesn’t see the field, $2 million is a pretty penny. He’s got the physical tools, and the Saints have him for two years after this. The burden is on him to show improvement.