Which New Orleans Saints free agent should be their highest priority to re-sign? ESPN’s Matt Bowen says it’s Marcus Davenport, having listed the big defensive end as the only Saints player among his list of the top 50 free agents. Davenport is coming off the worst year of his career, but Bowen says his past performance and rare athletic traits should make him a coveted player on the open market. He ranked Davenport at No. 20 overall, writing:
“Davenport’s injury history and lack of sack production this season (0.5) clouds his grade for free agency. But if we look at his numbers from 2021 — nine sacks, three forced fumbles — plus his physical traits at 6-foot-6, 262 pounds, we know he’ll have multiple suitors in free agency. He can play in both base and sub fronts, and he has the skills to rush with power or set an edge in the run game. Despite Davenport’s low sack total, his 20 pressures this season point to his ability to disrupt the pocket, even if he doesn’t always get home.”
Does that sound about right? Other teams should be interested in Davenport for the reasons Bowen outlined, but he’s on his way out with the Saints for good reasons, too. New Orleans demoted Davenport to a rotation player after he was outplayed by his backup Carl Granderson last year. He wasn’t able to practice in training camp for most of the summer due to conditioning issues, having arrived at nearly 300 pounds. Durability is an issue for him with so many different injuries.
It’s disappointing that we’re focused more heavily on Davenport’s negatives than his strengths as a player, but that’s just how his career has gone so far. He hasn’t been consistently productive or available from his rookie season. Whether he plays his next football game for the Saints or someone else, it’s on him to turn that narrative around.
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