Zack Baun’s breakout overshadowed the Saints’ linebackers. Will they draft another one?
The New Orleans Saints are at an interesting crossroads when it comes to the linebacker position.
Demario Davis, their 35-year-old longtime star, arguably started to show his age last season, even while playing at an overall productive level. Pete Werner, their other starter, doesn’t fill up the stat sheet — he failed to record an interception or a sack — but the Saints badly missed his presence in the four games he sat out because of an injury.
Even so, the pair’s play badly was overshadowed by what Zack Baun did in Philadelphia. The Eagles linebacker was a Defensive Player of the Year finalist a year removed from sitting on the bench in New Orleans.
The mixed results put the Saints in a spot in which linebacker isn’t a desperate need, though it would be understandable if the franchise tries to add more talent.
Let’s take a look at this year’s linebacker class and see who might be an option for the black and gold. Can the Saints find the next Baun?
Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Projected to be the first non-edge linebacker drafted, Campbell excelled at Alabama with his ability to read defenses and get downhill. He also has impressive speed to pair with his intellect: The 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker registered a 4.52 40-yard dash. And though he’s not an edge rusher, Campbell is a threat to rush the passer. He had five sacks last season to pair with his 119 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
ESPN praised Schwesinger as this draft’s best tackler, noting his “96.6% tackle rate ranked second in the nation among linebackers.” Schwesinger is a fundamentally sound player who has great feel at his position. The 6-2, 242-pound linebacker finished his career as a first-team All-American, concluding a dazzling journey in which he started at UCLA as a walk-on. He could be an intriguing choice for the Saints in the second round, if he lasts that long.
Demetrius Knight, South Carolina
The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t draft many linebackers when Brandon Staley, now the defensive coordinator of the Saints, was the team’s head coach. But in 2023, Staley’s final year, the Chargers picked Daiyan Henley — an undersized linebacker who turned out to be their leading tackler in 2024. Could Knight be Staley’s version of Henley for the Saints? Henley (8.05) and Knight (8.17) share similar Relative Athletic Scores, and both know how to use their athleticism. In Knight’s case, he’s one of the older prospects in this year’s draft, as the 24-year-old played four years at Georgia Tech and one year at Charlotte before finishing his college career at South Carolina. He’s also a cousin of former NFL cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
Teddye Buchanan, California
The Saints hired former University of California defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon to coach linebackers this offseason. Could he be interested in reuniting with Buchanan, who weighs 233 pounds and is 6-2? Buchanan led the Bears with 114 tackles in 13 games last season and was named first-team All-ACC. He landed at Cal after four years at Cal-Davis. He has a very intriguing 9.62 RAS, thanks in part to an eye-popping 40-inch vertical.
Cody Simon, Ohio State
The Saints hit on their last Ohio State linebacker when they drafted Werner in 2021. Simon could be another solid find, albeit one likely to go later than Werner’s second-round selection. Pro Football Focus calls Simon a “traditional insider linebacker who would play best in a 3-4 with a fellow inside linebacker next to him.” The Saints are likely switching to a 3-4 under Staley.
