Saints Roster: Realistic expectations for Andrew Dowell in 2022

This will be Andrew Dowell’s third year on the New Orleans Saints roster. What should fans expect from the linebacker in 2022?

Andrew Dowell, an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State who signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2020, went from appearing in one game during the 2020 season to appearing in all but one game last year. He’s only been a special teams contributor during his two years in the Big Easy, appearing 77% of special teams snaps last year. He had 15 tackles in 16 games.

The Saints value their special teams players and Dowell is one of the players who has made a name for himself in New Orleans based on his special teams play.

Saints Roster: What should fans expect from Andrew Dowell?

Dowell isn’t necessarily a lock to make the 53-man roster. We know that Demario Davis and Pete Werner will be the two starting linebackers and if the Saints don’t sign Kwon Alexander or another solid backup option, Kaden Elliss and Zack Baun will fill the backup roles. Elliss and Baun are also solid special teams contributors.

Dowell won’t just have to compete with those two guys but will also have newcomers D’Marco Jackson, Nephi Sewell, Isaiah Pryor, and Eric Wilson nipping at his heels. Jackson was the team’s fifth-round pick this year while Wilson previously played for the Texans and Sewell and Pryor were undrafted free agents signed by NOLA.

Dowell might have the special teams experience that New Orleans covets but that might not be enough to get him onto the 53-man roster for the third straight year. He has a leg up on the competition, yes, but he’ll still need to put together an impressive summer to earn that spot.

I predict that Dowell makes the team and is a key special teams contributor once again for the New Orleans Saints. What are your expectations for him, Saints fans?