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The New Orleans Saints likely will release one or more veteran defensive players before the start of the NFL's free-agent signing period March 12. And they must add at least two or three impact players in free agency and the draft.


New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan celebrates a 6-yard sack on the Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan at the Georgia Dome on November 29, 2012. (Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
But before that makeover begins, here is my assessment of the players on the current roster. Players are listed in order of their talent level heading into the 2013 season:


Breaking down the New Orleans Saints' defensive talent | NOLA.com

Seer1

Did he mean to say, "Broken down New Orleans Saints' defensive talent?"

CharityMike

Pretty solid piece of work. My only disagreement would be, I think he is wrong about Quddus. He seemed to show more promise as an actual safety than Harper ever did. IMO

|Mitch|

Very good assesment of our players!

Danno

Harper went to the pro bowl twice and under Gregg Williams was an upper tier safety.

IAQ is promising, but he hasn't shown squat compared to what Roman Harper has shown.

blackangold

dislike his ratings... he still has the old school mentality that many on this forum carry. Some of the Vets we have need to be released not only for the cap but simply because we are RE-BUILDING. Harper and Smith cuts alone save 16 mil for the cap. If we keep starting the old vets like Smith and Harper we will be looking for the replacements next year or the year after, we will constantly be re-building. We need younger, raw and coach-able new talent.

He says "Smith is no-longer an explosive pass rusher"... when was he? 13.5 sacks being the highest sack season on his books is shameful for a DE getting paid what he has been. Saying he would be worth it for 6m a year is BS. Cut him, Hicks is the best fit for the open DE spot.

saintsfan1976

I don't think Q can play in the box like Harper either. Dude needs like three necks to measure up to harp.

blackangold

Harper went due to his blitzing ability... he has never been a cover safety of any kind, you know this. i would be singing Harper's praises if he were 30lbs heavier and playing LB, but in reality he is nothing more than a liability in coverage.

Luda34

I would love to keep Harper but the guys a dispointment when he has to cover anyone. When the balls in the air I praying that it under throw because I know he's beat if it not. Now the guys a solid run stopper that would be great if he didn't play saftey. My point is we need to find someone better. Bring in Woodson or Reed it can't get any worst I don't care how old they are there better than what we have.

westbankdaze

I wish ... I really hope that Harper and MJ fell by the wayside because of Spags. I really like Harper a lot. Those two last season were a combined cluster f$&@ though. I can't say the same for MJ tho, a lot of folks were big on him his first season but he got torched as a CB.

Now, this all being said, CBs usually need about 3 years in the NFL until they are really ready for the job. If that's the case we got some talent ready to explode on the scene next season.