This is in a way piggy backing off of my last article. The purpose of this article is not to take our focus from the Saints season, but in some ways to accentuate some of the positives on this team. The Saints do have some young and talented players (some more developed than others) and the reality is that the franchises ‘fate’ for the next few years and beyond is much more in their hands than it is in those of the veterans…even Drew Brees.
All of the Saints players on this list have to meet the criteria of being both under the age of 26 (meaning they likely have about 5 years left in their career of being an effective player), and have the talent to be of note. That means that not every player under 26 gets on the list, only the ones who I believe can become difference makers for the team. For each player we will look at two different areas, the first being where they are now as an NFL player, and the second being what they could possibly become in the future. The only player on this list who is NOT under the age of 26 will be the first player on the list, and you’ll understand why he’s here very quickly.
1: Delvin Breaux, CB. 26 years old.
NOW: Breaux is on this list because even though he is above the age limit, he didn’t play college ball and has a lot less wear and tear than the usual player of his age. Breaux is thus more likely to be able to extend his career into his early thirties without suffering a precipitous decline in ability or production. As far as what he is as a player today, Delvin Breaux is one of the best corners in the NFL. He has incredibly smooth transitions while covering routes, very strong hands, and maybe more importantly than anything else Breaux has a tenacious mentality that makes him fight for every ball and not get down on himself on the rare play where he gets beat. Perhaps nothing else is more important for an NFL corner.
What he can be: It’s difficult to say a player whose as good as Breaux has been can get better, but he’s far from perfect. He still needs to improve on his anticipation, he still gets a little too grabby, and Breaux is still a work in progress in zone coverages. The good news is that all of these are issues that can mostly be resolved with coaching and experience (he looked much more comfortable in zone vs Oak and in the preseason for example). If Breaux is able to shore up his deficiencies he has the ability to be a top 5 CB in the NFL, no question. He’s that good. The only thing that can get in his way in my opinion is injuries, but that goes for every player.
2: Kenny Vacarro, SS. 25 years old.
NOW: Vacarro is entering a contract year and I fully expect the Saints to retain him. Vacarro is in my opinion the heart beat of the Saints defense and is also their ‘swiss army knife’. Kenny is able to effectively fill a myriad of roles for the defense. Vacarro is a powerful safety who likes to deliver big hits, but is also generally a sure tackler who doesn’t allow opponents to pick up extra yards. Kenny is able to cover most tight ends and running backs out of the back field, while also being a terror around the line of scrimmage. He’s a true ‘box’ safety and also an effective blitzer, and as I said before his intensity and playstyle fires up his teammates as the (in my opinion) unquestioned ‘heart’ of the defense.
What can he be: Vacarro is pretty close to a finished product as far as what he’s going to be skill wise, and some of that is due to the fact there aren’t many skills he can add at this point. What he can improve on, and what would allow him to approach a pro-bowl level is his consistency mentally. There are times where Vacarro appears to be overly aggresive and he takes himself out of position. He also seems to struggle much more playing high as a safety relative to being in the box. It’s not necessarily a requirement for him to grow as a deep safety, but becoming less of a liability there further enhances his greatest strength which is his versatility. Vacarro is in many ways the definition of the term ‘catalyst’ for the Saints defense and if they can plug their holes as a defense it will allow him to truly shine as the difference maker he was born to be.
3: Terron Armstead, LT. 25 years old.
NOW: Terron Armstead is currently one of the absolute best left tackles in football, period. He’s incredibly athletic, has evolved himself into a true student of the game and a technician, and plays with the necessary ‘mean streak’ you want to see from an NFL offensive lineman. Terron Armstead when healthy is simply the second best player on the Saints roster right behind Drew Brees.
What can he be: I’m honestly not sure Armstead can get any better than he is, but the one thing he can do to improve his game and his impact is to stay healthy. Armstead hasn’t necessarily been more injury prone than other big men, and to his credit he plays through A LOT. However, he also seems to always be playing through something and what is worrying is that its his knees. If Armstead can stay away from the operating table, and on the field, he’s going to remain one of the absolute best players in the league without question.
4: Tyeler Davison, DT/NT. 24 years old.
NOW: Davison has evolved from a rookie who had some nice attributes and a lot to work on, to one of the key cogs on defense. To be fair being a ‘key cog’ in a dumpster fire defense is dubious praise, however the reality is that Davison has been a quality player through the first 4 games of his career, period. Davison is a powerhouse of a player who combines the power of a nose tackle, with the balance and instincts of a wrestler. Davison is smooth through his hips and is able to use his motor and athleticism to get into the back field, so he is more than just a two gap power pig nose tackle.
What he can be: Davison is absolutely a player on the rise. The Saints run defense has been world’s different in the game she has played this season versus when he hasn’t. Davison is able to take on multiple blockers, moves well for a man his size, and he seems to have the kind of motor indicative of a player who just loves the game. This has been one of the criteria the Saints staff has been prioritizing the last few years and Davison has every tool he needs to be a great player for the Saints for a long time. Davison isn’t necessarily going to ever make a pro-bowl or an All Pro list, but what he can be is one of those ‘dirty work’ guys who creates opportunities for others. Whether it’s defense or offense NFL teams are built up front, and Davison gives the Saints a vital component to returning to respectability defensively.
5: Stephone Anthony, LB. 24 years old.
NOW: Anthony is a prototype linebacker physically. He’s fast, smooth, athletic, and plays with a great motor. He was a player I was really high on coming out of college, and if you are just looking at physical tools and potential he’s everything you want in a 1st round pick. However, the issue Anthony has encountered with his development up to this point is the mental part of the game. Anthony isn’t necessarily a ‘slow’ player, but he’s clearly had issues with play diagnosis and with being in the right place at the right time. He’s always been a guy where I’ve said “when he knows where’s he’s supposed to go, MAN does he look good getting there”, but the reality is that if he can’t get to that level consistently then he’s simply never going to live up to his potential.
What he can be: Stephone Anthony is an incredible athlete. The only question with him is whether he can become the player the Saints hoped he would be when they drafted him out of Syracuse. Anthony’s future has two very distinct paths. On the one hand he can stay as he is now, a pool of untapped potential and wasted athleticism, or he can adapt to his role and figure out the mental part of the game and become the super star he was born to be. And yes I said superstar. Anthony has every tool that he needs, but the question is if he can put them together in time to become a plus player.
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