Pete Werner

Werner started last season on track for a breakout campaign with 71 tackles and three pass defenses through the first eight games of the season. However, the 2021 second-round pick went on to suffer a significant ankle injury Week 9, limiting him to play in just three of New Orleans' final eight games. Werner still put up a career-best season in 2022, despite making three fewer appearances than his rookie season. After fellow off-ball linebacker Kaden Elliss left in free agency this offseason, Werner should headline the Saints' relatively thin linebacking corps alongside four-time All-Pro middle linebacker Demario Davis.

Werner will enter his sophomore season after a solid 2021 campaign in which he recorded 62 total tackles over 15 games. With Kwon Alexander's departure in free agency, Werner is set to start at weakside linebacker in 2022. The 22-year-old will look to build off his rookie performance and become a key part of the Saints' excellent defensive unit.

Combining All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis with midseason acquisition Kwon Alexander helped elevate the Saints defense to near elite levels last year, but the latter tore his Achilles in December, and the team cut him in March. In need of a new starter on defense, New Orleans selected Werner in the second round of the 2021 Draft, indicating it doesn't view 2020 third-rounder Zach Baun as the replacement. Werner could be after making a name for himself at Ohio State as a versatile linebacker with few liabilities.