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Why the Saints could have a top 5 total defense

By Jake Rajala

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 29: Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen of the New Orleans Saints reacts before an NFL preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 29: Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen of the New Orleans Saints reacts before an NFL preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

DE Marcus Davenport

If the Saints don’t have a great pass rusher opposite of Cameron Jordan, the Saints defense won’t hold up in the playoffs. It’s finally time for the defensive end, Marcus Davenport, to put together 16 games of quality play. The Saints only gave up two first-round picks for him.

Davenport has been impressive, despite a low sack total. Through 9 games in the 2019 season, Pro Football Focus showed how Davenport won on 18.3% of his pass-rushing snaps, which was more than Cameron Jordan (17.9%).

Davenport cooled off in the latter part of the season and missed three games, but he came out with six sacks in 13 games.

If Davenport recorded at least eight sacks in 16 games, it would’ve been an impressive 2nd year. Expect Davenport to improve his craft and flirt with 12 sacks if he stays healthy for 16 games in 2020.

Davenport is 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, and he runs a 4.59.

The Saints need to get everything out the former first-round pick to help Cam Jordan and the Saints defense. If Davenport stays healthy for 16 game slate, the Saints should put together one of the top three pass rushing duos from the defensive end spot.

Let’s look at a bigger reason why the Saints could pose a top-five defense.

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