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Of course it was a big deal when the New Orleans Saints agreed to terms on a contract extension with David Onyemata — the defensive tackle started 15 games last year (only missing Week 1 with a suspension) and led the position in snaps played per game (37.7), splitting time with both Sheldon Rankins (when healthy) and rookie standout Shy Tuttle for much of the year. So keeping him around bodes well for the unit’s immediate future, to say the least.
But let’s really dig into that. The Saints are expected to return all four starters to last year’s defensive line, including Onyemata, nose tackle Malcom Brown, and defensive ends Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport. Top backups like Rankins (who is really more of a co-starter when healthy, having averaged 41.4 snaps per game in his career), Tuttle, Mario Edwards, and Trey Hendrickson are all also running it back in 2020. And that’s a great thing considering last year’s defensive line was the best in the Sean Payton era, if not the last two decades of Saints football.
As a group, the Saints defense racked up 51 sacks in 2019, their most since Payton took the job as head coach (and the highest total since 2001, when they bagged 53 sacks). They consistently pressured quarterbacks throughout the season, peaking with a nine-sack performance against the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving. Another year of the same group working together, learning each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies, should only help them moving forwards.
But they also weren’t just a one-dimensional unit. The Saints defense, led by a tenacious group up front, paved the way for an NFL-best streak of 43 consecutive games played without allowing a 100-yard rusher. While some opponents passed that mark as a whole and certain running backs threatened it (like Dalvin Cook in the playoffs, with 94 yards gaindd on the ground), the Saints largely held their own and move into the 2020 season with a pronounced strength in run defense.
And much of that is due to the influence Onyemata carries up front. He’s as important to the group’s success as anyone, creating opportunities for teammates by absorbing double-team blocks and plugging run lanes. Even though his contract is pricey, it’s worth it considering the success the Saints have experienced with him in the lineup. Continuity is key in the NFL, and by re-signing Onyemata, the Saints proved they acknowledge that.
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