Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox highlighted New Orleans Saints acquisitions Willie Gay Jr. and Spencer Rattler as overlooked additions from this offseason. Knox’s list was split nearly evenly in half between free agents and draft picks for each team, and those two pickups stood out for the Saints.
The Spencer Rattler hype train has been one of the more interesting developments after the NFL draft. Saints fans’ frustration with the offensive ineptitude from a year ago mixed with Rattler’s potential has made him an instant fan favorite. Heightened expectations don’t stop with fans, though.
It’s gone so far that it’s even been said that Rattler could be the present solution at quarterback and not just the future if Derek Carr continues to struggle. But Knox is much more tempered in his excitement. He sees Rattler as a good backup option with high upside. That’s exactly where he resides as he fights for the backup quarterback spot with Jake Haener.
Willie Gay is the player who could make an immediate impact. The veteran linebacker will bring a ranginess at linebacker beside Demario Davis that is reminiscent of Kwon Alexander. The catch is that he has to beat out Pete Werner for the starting position.
Davis, Gay and Werner will all see the field in the Saints’ base defense package. The latter two will battle to see who stays on the field when New Orleans drops to two linebackers on the field. The potential of what Gay could bring to the team definitely qualifies this as an overlooked addition.
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