3 New Orleans Saints sleepers making a case for a roster spot
- An undrafted running back
- A potential gem at linebacker
- A versatile defensive back
By Ryan Heckman
2. Nick Anderson, LB
In the Saints' most recent training camp practice, undrafted rookie linebacker Nick Anderson, out of Tulane, made probably the hit of the day. Running back Kirk Merritt took a hand-off and saw some space, but didn't make it more than a few yards before Anderson stopped him on a dime.
"The sound of the collision was so loud it brought ooohs and aaahs from all in attendance, especially on that side of the field," Saints team writer Todd Graffagnini wrote.
Just a few days ago, head coach Dennis Allen had this to say about the undrafted linebacker:
"Look, Nick's a smart, tough, instinctive football player ... You know, he's not the prototype size we're looking for, the prototype length we're looking for, but yet there's been guys like that, that have played in this league. One of the most important characteristics of a linebacker is being an instinctive player, and I think he's got some of those things." (via NOF on Twitter)
The Tulane product was a do-it-all linebacker in college, and in his last season he posted 113 tackles in 14 games, and also added 7.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and four passes defended.
Anderson is the gritty, instinctive type of young player this Saints defense would love to see continue to rise and become a significant part of the organization's future. He entered camp far behind on the depth chart, but if he keeps making plays like that, and catching the coaches' attention, he might just have a shot.