Free Agency: Breaking down the remaining Defensive Ends
By Ty Anania
Jabaal Sheard
Sheard is, in my opinion, a more solid prospect than Nick Perry. His problem with regards the Saints is not talent. It’s his fit. But the Saints can possibly mitigate that problem.
Sheard has put together some very strong seasons recently. He’s been at times a force against the run, and at others a solidly disruptive pass rusher. He won’t warrant the same type of money as Nick Perry, and is a more proven, well-rounded prospect.
But he’s more suited for a strong-side defensive end role, like Cam Jordan. The Saints are looking for more of a pure pass-rusher to play on the weak-side.
Sheard did an excellent job of setting the edge for the Patriots in 2016. His 2015 numbers were more impressive, but Sheard held down an important role in that New England defense. He swallowed up blockers and rarely lost at the point of attack when the run went his way. Against the likes of Cam Newton and the Panthers, he’d be a welcome addition.
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But he only managed 5 sacks in 2016, and that’s indicative of his skill set. He’s an upright DE. He doesn’t work to disrupt the quarterback, but rather plays contain along the edge.
To a certain extend, that tendency is due to his assignment in New England. In 2015, for example, Sheard played a slightly different role, and put together 8 sacks on the season. But that different role saw him lining up much more often as a defensive tackle. Granted, Sheard looked very disruptive at that position in what tape I watched of 2015. But if the Saints resign Nick Fairley, then they’re not in the market for another DT.
The Saints may not resign Fairley, of course. In which case I could see them looking Sheard’s way for DL help. And even if they do resign Fairley, that doesn’t preclude them going after the 27-year-old DE.
They can mitigate Sheard’s lack of pure pass-rush talent with a pass-rush specialist in the draft. The Saints still have Obum Gwachum and Hau’oli Kikaha on their roster, both of whom could serve that pass-rush role. Sheard could start in the base, and possibly move inside or come off the field on obvious passing downs.
But that would mean signing Sheard to a reduced role than what he saw in New England. And that would mean at a reduced value. Sheard is likely going to expect a more serious contract than what that role would earn him in New Orleans.