Saints' Linebackers: Position by position contract breakdown

Saints’ contract breakdown by position: Linebackers

Oct 10, 2016

Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Craig Robertson (52) looks across the line before San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) gets the snap during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 7

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Michael Mauti (56) celebrates with teammates after blocking and recovering a punt against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Mauti

Two years, $2,222,728, through 2016.

The Saints signed Michael Mauti off of waiver wires after he was cut from the Vikings in 2015. Since then, Mauti has served primarily as a special teams captain, and serving some LB duties when necessary. He played adamantly last year when injuries forced him into the starting lineup, but it was clear that the former 7th round pick was never meant to start.

While he struggled at LB, he played very well on special teams, earning the special teams captain title for 2016. Good special teams play is typically undervalued by fans and the media, as the two costly special teams blunders have shown Saints fans this year.

Mauti is on the last year of his contract, worth $675,000 in cap space. That’s a good value for a player of his caliber, and he would be rated higher in this list if he had more impact beyond special teams.