Saints-Falcons snap counts: Defensive line playing often, but not playing well

The New Orleans Saints have given high snap counts to several first-round defensive linemen, but they haven’t received big plays in return.

Special teams

  • QB Taysom Hill, 24 (89%)
  • CB Justin Hardee, 24 (89%)
  • LB Stephone Anthony, (24 89%)
  • LB Craig Robertson, 24 (89%)
  • SS J.T. Gray, 18 (67%)
  • RB Dwayne Washington, 18 (67%)
  • FB Zach Line, 15 (56%)
  • TE Josh Hill, 14 (52%)
  • CB Johnson Bademosi, 14 (52%)

Hill is back to the top of the special teams rotation, joined by an expected sight (Hardee) and a surprise entry (Anthony). It probably shouldn’t be too surprising that Anthony is excelling in this role, despite his past struggles on defense with the Saints. He’s still a phenomenal athlete and played often for first-year Saints coordinator Darren Rizzi when he coached the Miami Dolphins special teams units a year ago. Anthony is someone Rizzi is familiar with, giving him an inside track on what he’s capable of in the return game. Bademosi was signed a few weeks ago following veteran tryouts and is already playing frequently, which is noteworthy.

Defensive line

  • DE Cameron Jordan, 72 (91%)
  • DT David Onyemata, 43 (54%)
  • NT Malcom Brown, 40 (51%)
  • DT Sheldon Rankins, 37 (47%)
  • DT Mario Edwards Jr., 26 (33%)
  • NT Shy Tuttle, 26 (33%)
  • DE Trey Hendrickson, 20 (25%)

The Saints are committing a lot of playing-time to defensive linemen who aren’t rewarding them for it. Davenport and Rankins, each former first-round picks, have failed to so much as touch an opposing quarterback in their last three or four games. Jordan met his match in rookie Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary, who contained him for much of the contest. Hendrickson might be their fastest pass rusher off the edge but he’s not getting many looks in the rotation as it stands. If Davenport continues to struggle and pressure quarterbacks, the Saints may need to consider flipping their snap counts just to remain competitive.

Linebackers

  • LB Demario Davis, 79 (100%)
  • LB A.J. Klein, 68 (86%)
  • LB Kiko Alonso, 35 (44%)

Alonso received his second-highest snap count of the season, and his marks his third consecutive game with 20-plus appearances on defense. His athleticism out in space was on nice display a few times in Sunday’s game, and Davis was consistent as always (and maybe put in the best production as a pass rusher for New Orleans on blitzes against Atlanta). However, these second-level defenders were too often caught unawares when Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan bailed out of the pocket, twice allowing him to jog for the first-down marker and keep drives alive. That can’t happen.

Defensive secondary

  • SS Vonn Bell, 79 (100%)
  • CB Eli Apple, 79 (100%)
  • FS Marcus Williams, 79 (100%)
  • CB P.J. Williams, 68 (86%)
  • SS C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 37 (47%)
  • CB Marshon Lattimore, 34 (43%)
  • SS J.T. Gray, 7 (9%)
  • CB Justin Hardee, 1 (1%)

So, how did the Saints cope with losing Lattimore? P.J. Williams was promoted to his spot and initially tried to shadow Julio Jones, though a quick 54-yard bomb made that decision appear dubious. With Williams moved to the outside opposite Apple, the rookie Gardner-Johnson was called up to play the slot, an area he’s thrived in during recent weeks. The Saints are better with Lattimore back in the lineup (obviously), but it’s good to see that they have a plan they can work with until he’s able to shake back from a strained hamstring. Marcus Williams has broken up 10 passes and accounts for three of the team’s four interceptions through nine games.

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