PFF’s top 5 Saints players through first 5 games of 2021
Which New Orleans Saints players have impressed you the most? Coming out of the bye week after five games, the analysts at Pro Football Focus have their take in listing the five best members of the black and gold for the season so far.
While I could have just gone with the highest-graded players regardless of playing time, I wanted to better reflect the players who are most often on the field — so I set the qualifiers to those who have played at least half the snaps on offense (146) or defense (171).
That cut out highly-graded players who have seen limited action like wide receiver Deonte Harris (89.8 grade on 102 snaps), quarterback Taysom Hill (75.6 grade on 109 snaps), tight end Juwan Johnson (81.4 grade on 58 snaps), and running back Tony Jones Jr. (78.0 grade before an injury sidelined him after 56 snaps), as well as promising rookie linebacker Pete Werner (76.5 grade on 157 snaps).
Let’s get to the top five who did qualify:
81.7 - CB Marshon Lattimore (255 snaps)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) in action against Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Lattimore leads the NFL in forced incompletions (11) and he didn’t even play this week. If he weren’t wearing a restrictive cast on one hand he’d probably rank high among league interceptions leaders, too. He’s also drawn just a single penalty. But unlike some other top cover corners Lattimore is more than eager to get involved in run defense — he’s missed only two tackles this season.
76.6 - DE Cameron Jordan (288 snaps)
Sep 12, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) runs onto the field during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan is tied with Jon Franklin-Myers, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Everson Griffen to rank 16th in quarterback pressures (21) across the NFL, but he’s still chasing his elusive first sack of 2021. Jordan does have 10 defensive stops on the year so far and he’s a very capable all-around player, but he isn’t the No. 1 pass rusher the Saints have asked him to be before. He’s their best player up front on his side of the ball right now.
76.5 - S Marcus Williams (341 snaps)
Sep 12, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive backs Marcus Williams (43) poses for a picture after intercepting Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (not pictured) during the third quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The rangy free safety has intercepted two of the four passes thrown into his coverage, which should tell you enough about how well he’s playing. Quarterbacks are hesitant to try him and those who have rolled the dice have paid for it. The other two targets were completed for a modest 16 yards. He hasn’t been penalized in 2021, but Williams has already missed three tackles after missing just twice across the 2020 season.
77.2 - RT Ryan Ramczyk (292 snaps)
Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (71) against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC divisional playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ramczyk may be the highest-graded qualifier on offense, but one thing is disquieting: pass protection. Ramczyk has averaged 27.3 pressures allowed each year’s played in the NFL, but he’s already up to 17 pressures allowed through just five games. That’s putting him on pace for 57.8 pressures over a 17-game season. Things should settle down once Jameis Winston becomes more comfortable in the offense and personnel improve around him, but Ramczyk still isn’t playing up to his usual standards.
74.3 - LB Demario Davis (337 snaps)
Sep 12, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) drives Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) out of abound during the second half at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
He’s quieted down a bit in recent weeks but Davis remains a force in the heart of the New Orleans defense. His average depth of tackle (3.6 yards) ranks 16th across the NFL among linebackers with 100-plus snaps played in run defense. He’s tied for the second-most pass breakups (3) among off-ball linebackers and hasn’t allowed a touchdown pass into his coverage. And he’s already bagged seven pressures (including a sack) when asked to blitz the passer. He’s an all-around playmaker.
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