The Saints started off the second day of the NFL Draft with a more position needed approach and drafted a linebacker. After drafting Payton Turner at pick 28, the Saints went for a more team needed position, and it was from their favorite school, Ohio State.
Pete Werner stands at 6’2, 230 pounds with a 4.6 40 yard dash. Werner may not be as athletic as other linebackers in the draft, but what stands out from Werner is his consistency and nose for the football. Consistent players make the biggest impacts, and a consistent reliable tackler is what the Saints are getting from Werner. The Saints have always seemed to struggle with finding consistently good linebackers and that’s why Werner stands out more than other prospects in the Draft. Even players like Kwon Alexander and Alex Anzalone struggled being consistently productive with the Saints despite the skill sets both players have.
Werner brings descent pass coverage along with a run stuffing playing style. Werner in his entire college football career, only allowed one touchdown in coverage in a total of 1,958 snaps. Another upside trait is the lack of penalties. Only two penalties committed by Werner in all those snaps. Once again there’s the consistent production from Werner that the Saints seem to lack at linebacker. The only question in my opinion that comes from this pick is, what will the Saints do with Zach Baun? Other than that, a solid pick.
Stats: 185 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 13 pass deflections.
Written By Kadin Janisch
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