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One very important New Orleans Saints defensive player to keep your eye on in 2013 is second-year defensive lineman Akiem Hicks.

Hicks, who the Saints selected in the third round in 2012, had a baptism by fire last season, and while he showed his inexperience and a lack of good techniques at times, he also showed that athletically he is the most talented big man the Saints have along their defensive line.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan is not a gold chip NFL performer, but he is a good blue chip player. Jordan excels in stopping the run, but last season he displayed good pass-rush skills at times and the ability to close in fast on a quarterback.

For Hicks, if the light comes on for him like it did for Jordan in 2012, he has a chance to be a special defensive lineman.

The 6-foot-5, 320-pound defensive lineman is being played across the board in Rob Ryan’s new defensive 3-4 format.

“They are preparing me for every spot up front,” Hicks said. “I’m working at defensive end, nose tackle and playing the 3-technique. I like playing defensive end. It gives me an opportunity to use my athleticism and my speed coming off the ball. To be honest I am really a power-type player, but I surprise people on how quick I am coming off the ball. It’s a lot of one-on-one stuff at defensive end. When you play inside you are taking on a lot of double-team blocking. It’s adjusting and seeing what is best for me to excel and what is best for the team. It doesn’t matter where they play me, I just want to compete and play.”

Read more: Hicks key for Saints | HoumaToday.com

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