New Orleans Saints Insider: Looking at the Defensive Linemen

The Saints had some struggles on the defensive line last year, and no one game showed those problems better than their game against the Seattle Seahawks.  That was when they allowed running back Marshawn Lynch to run rampant through their defense and help lead the Seahawks to a playoff victory. 

We knew that the Saints were going to do some drafting for the defensive line during the 2011 NFL draft, and they even drafted someone that they hope can come in and start right away in 2011 in Cameron Jordan.  The draft was deep in talent on the defensive line, and the Saints took advantage of that. 

The following is a player-by-player look at all of the guys that the Saints had on their defensive line in 2010 and those players that they got in the draft.  There is a look back at how they performed in 2010, how things look for them this offseason and how things look for them heading into the 2011 season.

Remi Ayodele-DT-There are some people that feel that if there was a weak point on the defensive line for the Saints last season, it was at the defensive tackle position.  It’s thought that Ayodele could be replaced this offseason depending on what the Saints are willing (and able) to do.  Ayodele earned the starting spot as the team’s nose tackle, and he ended up playing in all 16 games with 16 starts, and he recorded a total 37 tackles with 21 solo and 16 assisted.  He had one sack, one pass defended and one forced fumble.

Ayodele’s production was not as strong as some would like to see in a starting nose tackle especially with just one sack, and he is a likely candidate for replacement heading into next season. 

Look for him to get some stiff competition in training camp where he will most likely be replaced by anyone that can play even just a little bit better than he did this season.

Alex Brown-DE-Brown was a pretty nice addition to the team last season, but thanks to his age and his trouble rushing the passer, he’s only a temporary solution to a long-term problem.  Brown played in all 16 games with 16 starts and had 39 total tackles with 32 solo and seven assisted.  He registered two sacks, three passes defended and one forced fumble.

Brown is a nice run stopper, but he lacks solid pass-rushing skills and is showing signs of age.  The Saints have brought  in some additional talent at the end position this offseason and may end up replacing him, but he could still remain a serviceable part of their defense.

Jeff Charleston-DE-Charleston was the backup to Will Smith in 2010 and saw action in all 16 games with one start.  He had 26 total tackles with 19 solo and seven assisted.  He registered three sacks, two passes defended and two forced fumbles.  Charleston is an adequate backup but wouldn’t be an ideal long-term starter (but he’s not there to start).  The team may choose to keep him as a backup in 2011.

Look for Charleston to be a part of the team in 2011 and see some time on the field.

Sedrick Ellis-DT-Ellis was a starter at the defensive tackle position opposite Ayodele and he had a pretty nice year.  He ended up playing in and starting in all 16 games with 44 total tackles with 30 solo and 14 solo.  He had six sacks overall with two passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Ellis represents the Saints best bet in the interior of their defensive line as it stands right now and you can bet that the Saints are going to keep him in place as the starter.  New Orleans has been lucky to have someone like him in the lineup and he should continue to develop into a much stronger and better player in 2011.

Junior Galette-DE-Galette didn’t see much action last season as a backup to Smith and Charleston with most of his time being spent on special teams.  Overall, Galette played in four games with no starts and had four tackles overall all of them solo.  Like any third string player, Galette will be battling for a spot next season and with the Saints bringing in additional depth at the defensive end position then he will have a big fight on his hands.

Galette does have some skill and ability but could be easily supplanted by some better talent and may not see the active roster in 2011.

Anthony Hargrove-DE: Hargrove was one of the Saint’s backups at the defensive tackle position last season participating in 14 games with no starts.  He had 29 tackles overall with 21 solo and eight assisted.  He earned one sack and two forced fumbles.

Hargrove is known for his speed and ability to get to the outside and make plays but has struggled at times in games.  His status as a backup means he will be pushed by anyone that the  Saints decide to bring in so Hargrove will have his work cut out for him to make this team in 2011. 

Mitch King-DE: The Saints have brought in King with hopes that he will be able to increase competition at the defensive tackle position and possibly give them some depth on the roster.  King spend last season with Indianapolis Colts and hasn’t had a chance to work out much yet with the Saints but will have plenty of opportunity to make the team in training camp.

Shaun Rodgers-DT: Rogers was an interesting pickup after he was let go by the Cleveland Browns but has a lot of questions surrounding him and may have an uphill battle making this roster.  The Saints will certainly like his size and experience but will he be able to stay healthy enough to become a regular contributor on their defense?  If he can stay healthy and contribute then the Saints may have found someone that can anchor the middle of their defense at least for a while.

Will Smith-DE: Smith was the starting defensive end on the right side for the Saints in 2010 and he played in a total of 15 games with 15 starts.  He recorded 39 total tackles with 34 solo and five assisted.  He had five-and-a-half sacks, five passes defended, one interception and once forced fumble.

Smith has been steady since coming to the Saints as a rookie back in 2004, but he’s not been as productive as he once was (his best season was in 2009) and perhaps he had a little bit of an “off” season last year.  Smith will need to get back to playing better especially since the Saints have now drafted defensive end/outside linebacker Cameron Jordan.  If he doesn’t get back to playing like has he may end up seeing his snaps reduced on defense considerably.

Jimmy Wilkerson-DE: Wilkerson was the backup at left defensive end last year and played in a total of 16 games with no starts.  He had 16 total tackles with 14 solo and two assisted.  Wilkerson also added two sacks to his statistics from last season.

Wilkerson is going to have to fight for his job as a backup next season because the team is going to be looking to improve its defense and he could be beaten out by someone younger.

Look for Wilkerson’s spot on the roster to be heavily tested when the offseason and training camp finally commences with his status for next season considered to be up in the air.

Cameron Jordan-DE: Jordan is one of two players that the Saints drafted on the defensive line in the 2011 NFL draft.  It’s likely that the Saints are going to have Jordan compete with Brown for his spot, and there is no reason to think that (barring injury) Jordan won’t be a starter with the Saints this year.

Jordan brings a lot of talent and intensity to the position and should be a major upgrade for the Saints at the defensive end position.

Greg Romeus-DE: Romeus is an interesting pick because he may have been a first or second-round pick had he not been injured last year. If he can manage to stay healthy, he might be able to be a contributor on defense for the Saints in the future.  His college career was going very well before he got hurt so if he can get (and stay) healthy he could be a great addition to the defensive line.

The Saints also have defensive tackles Tom Johnson and Swanson Miller on their roster this offseason.  Miller and Johnson haven’t played at all in the NFL, but they will provide some depth in training camp as well as some minor competition and bodies. 

The Saints coaching staff and front office saw that they needed some help on the defensive line and went out and took care of that need in the draft.  Depending on what happens in free agency (if there is free agency or at least limited free agency) the Saints may end up heading into this season with just the players that we have listed here and no other new additions.  So will this group be able to form the kind of defense that the Saints need to win games in 2011?

The Saints need their defensive line to step things up and play better in 2011, or it’s going to be another long season with a possible early playoff exit.  Problems on the defensive line hurt the Saints last year, and they will do what it takes to make sure that this isn’t a weakness on the team again in 2011.

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