How does the linebacker rotation shake out?

Another area of heavy competition figures to land in the middle of the defense. While Demario Davis, named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press last year, is a no-doubt starter at weakside linebacker, the Saints can attack the spot next to him from several different angles. Unlike some NFL teams, the Saints use their nickel package as the base defense, fielding just two linebackers at a time for long stretches during games (they trotted out three or more linebackers together on fewer than 200 snaps last season).

Enter Zack Baun, a rookie out of Wisconsin who figures to push both Alex Anzalone and Kiko Alonso for playing time right out of the gate. While Anzalone predominantly played snaps at middle linebacker, Alonso is more of a strongside enthusiast, but responsibilities and alignments can shift and change from one snap to the next in New Orleans’ versatile defense. Anzalone and Alonso both ended the 2019 season on injured reserve (as did Kaden Elliss, last year’s seventh-round pick who quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff as a top backup).

Adding to the drama is the long-term vision of the unit. Davis, Anzalone, Alonso, and first-man-up Craig Robertson are each going to be free agents next year, barring an early contract extension. The Saints need Baun to outright win a starting job right away so that the team knows it has a building block for the future.

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