New Orleans Saints should try to claim Terrell Suggs off the waivers

Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs has been released and will head to waivers. Should the New Orleans Saints put a claim in on the veteran?

Former Baltimore Ravens’ legend Terrell Suggs has reportedly been released by the Arizona Cardinals. He signed there after spending the last 16 seasons with the Ravens. That said, should the New Orleans Saints take a chance on him?

Suggs is an outside linebacker, as aforementioned, and the Saints have been absolutely crumbling defensively due to a myriad of injuries. It’s been so bad the team was virtually forced to re-sign former Notre Dame standout Manti Te’o.

Starters A.J. Klein and Kiko Alonso were sidelined in last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, a 48-46 shootout loss. While their return prior to the postseason is likely, the Saints clearly are thin at linebacker, and it’s a concern.

Suggs isn’t elite anymore, but he’d still be a terrific addition.

A defensive end/linebacker combo, Suggs has 5.5 sacks on the season, playing 13 games in Arizona. Suggs has played over 50% of defensive snaps in 12 of the 13 games and over 70% in 9 of the 13. He clearly still has the stamina to be an every-down linebacker.

Suggs has 37 tackles on the season.

While it’s not overly impressive, it is more than the former Pro Bowler has in 2016 and 2018, playing in 15 and 16 games in those respective seasons. To add to that, Suggs is a six-time Pro Bowler, adding his last appearance in 2017, and is also a former All-Pro.

The Saints need help on defense. Whether it’s purely for his leadership or for tenacious play, they should at least consider putting a waiver claim in on Suggs. They missed out on Josh Gordon earlier this season, and they’ll yet again be at the bottom of the barrel in waiver priority.

However, there shouldn’t be too many teams that look into Suggs. The Saints, mainly due to their injury difficulties, need a Suggs-type player. Now, he’s available, and it’s time they make the move to lock him up.