Projecting New Orleans Saints rookie roles in 2022 season

D’Marco Jackson: Backup Linebacker/Special Teams

Fifth-round pick D’Marco Jackson just screams ‘New Orleans Saints linebacker’, doesn’t he? The Appalachian State product obviously has come in and impressed the coaching staff enough that they felt okay not re-signing Kwon Alexander and leaning on Jackson to be one of the new backup linebackers.

Jackson won’t be competing for a starting job unless Pete Werner ends up not being healthy enough to start so he’ll be fighting with Zack Baun for the backup gig. Baun, a former third-round pick in 2020, has mostly been a disappointment and Jackson is the shiny new toy so I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he beat out Baun.

The other backup linebacker is more than likely going to be former seventh-rounder Kaden Elliss, who has made a nice role for himself in New Orleans on special teams. Jackson could also be utilized on special teams.

The Appalachian State product had 119 tackles and six sacks during his final season with the Mountaineers. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in the Big Easy.