New Orleans Saints: Terrell Suggs is a necessary addition

The New Orleans Saints need help on both their defensive line and linebacking corps, and Terrell Suggs could be here to help.

There’s no denying that the New Orleans Saints’ defensive injuries have had a huge impact on their extremely successful season. And, with Marcus Davenport and Sheldon Rankins out for the season, their depth will be tested now more than ever before.

Both have been ruled out for the season in the last few weeks and will continue to impact the Saints. Davenport is a defensive end while Rankins is a defensive tackle. With linebackers A.J. Klein and Kiko Alonso also missing last week’s game, there are multiple holes on this Saints defense.

As Sean Payton noted, they’ve played that next man up mentality all season long, but when injuries mount, there is only so much depth can do.

“One of the things this year that we felt was beneficial was our depth at the defensive line position, carrying eight each game and getting into a rotation. So that when you lose two starters, the depth helps you, but the next week you aren’t at eight again,” Payton told media during his weekly availability.

Terrell Suggs is the answer for Payton to get back to his line being eight deep. The former Baltimore legend has played both on the line and as an outside linebacker throughout his illustrious career.

The seven-time Pro Bowler is also a former All-Pro as well. He earned his last Pro Bowl appearance in 2018.

Throughout this season, Suggs has played 13 games with the Arizona Cardinals. He has 5.5 sacks and 37 tackles. Suggs played over 50% of the team’s defensive snaps in 12 of the 13 games, proving he has the stamina to play virtually every down.

When a former All-Pro that’s still a capable athlete gets on the market, it’s easy to understand why a contender might claim him off waivers. For the Saints, they need to add the versatile veteran after missing out on claiming Josh Gordon earlier this season.

Injuries, continued depth, skill — there are almost too many reasons that adding Suggs, or at least making a claim on him, makes sense.