New Orleans Saints: 3 underhyped players heading into the 2020 season
Number Two: Marcus Davenport
Marcus Davenport is widely regarded as one of the New Orleans Saints’ best breakout prospects as his continuous growth is evident in his increased statistics. Davenport is a 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive end that the Saints traded up to draft just three drafts ago.
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The 23-year-old edge rusher has proven to have star potential but hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations a top-15 draft pick usually meets. Davenport needs to prove he can play more than 13 games in a season and be a long-term option opposite of All-Pro Cameron Jordan.
Marcus Davenport has had flashes of greatness in his career thus far. The UTSA alum has played in 26 career games logging 53 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 28 quarterback hits, 10.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two passes defended so far after two seasons.
Davenport has also logged 15 quarterback hurries, 17 quarterback knockdowns, and has only missed three tackles in his career.
The rawness of Davenport is evident at times, but his growth from year one to year two was substantial as he improved in almost every statistical category. Davenport also played just half of the Saints’ defensive snaps in 2019, so having him on the field more can increase his chances to break out in 2020.