New Orleans Saints: 5 Players Whose Stock Is on the Rise After OTAs
The New Orleans Saints are heading into their second round of organized team activities, and numerous players will look to continue their improvement after standing out during the first week of OTAs.
Under the direction of general manager Mickey Loomis, the Saints have executed a significant roster overhaul this offseason. The team's multitude of moves should result in New Orleans fielding a highly competitive squad in 2015 as coach Sean Payton looks to return to the playoffs after last year’s disappointing season.
The Saints held a rookie minicamp two weeks after the draft, but last week’s OTAs provided the coaching staff with its first opportunity to get a close look at both veterans and newcomers on the same field.
Several players stepped up and made impressive plays throughout the three-day affair, and we’ll take a look at some of them in the following slideshow.
Brandon Coleman, Wide Receiver
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The Saints signed Brandon Coleman as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and after a year on the practice squad, the wideout is ready to push for playing time this coming season.
At 6’6” and 225 pounds, the former Rutgers standout has the size to provide quarterback Drew Brees with a capable red-zone target.
After trading starting receiver Kenny Stills to the Miami Dolphins this offseason, the Saints will be looking for younger wideouts, such as Coleman, to step up and fill the void in the passing game.
The second-year man is apparently off to a solid start after turning in a noteworthy performance during last Thursday’s OTAs. According to ESPN.com Saints reporter Mike Triplett, Coleman broke free of cornerback Kyle Wilson and hauled in a touchdown pass from quarterback Luke McCown.
While Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks are expected to lock down the top two receiving spots, there will be plenty of opportunities for some of the younger wideouts on the team to step up and make their mark in the passing game this season.
Given his size and athleticism, along with the fact that he now has a year in the Saints' system under his belt, Coleman should definitely be in the mix this coming season.
Seantavius Jones, Wide Receiver
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It’s difficult to discuss Coleman without also mentioning the Saints’ other 2014 undrafted free-agent receiver—Seantavius Jones.
Like Coleman, the 6’3”, 200-pounder has good size for the position, and he also possesses the speed and quickness to get separation on opposing corners.
According to Triplett, Jones saw action with the first-team offense in Thursday’s practice, and he hauled in a catch from Brees while being covered by No. 1 cornerback Keenan Lewis.
Brees was quick to credit both Jones and Coleman for their offseason improvement, via Triplett:
"Man, light years ahead of where they were, even just at the end of last year. You can tell that it’s just been at the forefront of their mind throughout this whole offseason. And then look at what’s happened here. Kenny Stills gets traded, Jimmy is gone, just certain things where they see this opportunity that’s kind of out there for the taking.
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Behind starters Colston and Cooks, the Saints are stacked with a slew of talented young wideouts. Jones, Coleman, Nick Toon, Joe Morgan and Jalen Saunders are all vying for playing time in New Orleans’ three- and four-receiver sets, and the competition should extend well into the preseason.
Stephone Anthony, Inside Linebacker
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The Saints selected Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony with their second of two first-round picks in this year’s draft, and the rookie appears to have already settled in nicely as an inside 'backer in coordinator Rob Ryan’s defense.
According to Larry Holder of NOLA.com, Anthony ran with the second team during Thursday’s practice, and he made an impressive interception on a McCown pass.
Although David Hawthorne is the current starter at the “Mike” spot, Anthony could push the seven-year veteran before the season begins.
The rookie possesses the size (6’3” and 245 pounds) and physicality to defend the run, and he also has the speed and instincts to drop into coverage and keep pace with running backs and tight ends.
Anthony will likely see the field early and often in 2015, and he should provide the Saints linebacking corps with a major upgrade with regard to overall athleticism.
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Benjamin Watson, Tight End
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After the trade of star tight end Jimmy Graham, the popular theory was that Josh Hill would replace the All-Pro as the primary receiving tight end in the New Orleans offense.
This may still prove to be the case, but don’t write off veteran Benjamin Watson as a capable contributor in the Saints’ vaunted aerial attack.
The 11-year veteran delivered one of the more impressive performances of OTAs, according to Holder, as he reeled in a touchdown pass on a deep ball from Brees.
In addition to his receiving abilities, Watson is a formidable blocker, and he’s also a respected locker room leader.
While neither Hill nor Watson is likely to match Graham’s prolific numbers, the two of them could combine to form a highly productive tandem at the tight end spot for New Orleans in 2015.
Delvin Breaux, Cornerback
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After fielding an unsatisfactory pass defense in 2014, the New Orleans front office has made a strong effort to improve the Saints’ cornerback situation this offseason.
The first order of business was to bring in a solid No. 2 outside cover man to line up opposite Keenan Lewis, and the Saints did that when they signed Brandon Browner to a three-year deal.
New Orleans also drafted two highly rated prospects in P.J. Williams and Damian Swann, but prior to that, the team inked a couple of young free agents in Kyle Wilson and Delvin Breaux.
At 6’1,” Breaux has more-than-adequate length for the position, and he should make a run for the nickel spot in 2015.
Once a promising high school recruit, the 25-year-old suffered a major neck injury during his senior year, and he was unable to play at LSU.
He eventually made a full recovery, however, and after playing with the New Orleans Voodoo of the Arena League, he opted to go the CFL route. Following two standout seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Breaux's hometown Saints signed him, and he’s already making an impact in practices.
On Day 3 of OTAs, Breaux looked impressive throughout the workout, according to Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate.
Wilson ran with the first team at the nickel position, but don’t be surprised if Breaux moves up the depth chart and earns significant playing time in 2015.
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