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Position Spotlight: Linebackers

Gallette as a true OLB? I don't see it. He's a DE hybrid. This echoes the need for a rangy OLB who can fly. Think Navarro Bowman.

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My take: I never know where to list Galette in these things, since he essentially plays defensive end. But I'll keep him here since he's listed as an outside linebacker -- and since he's actually playing more as a true 3-4 outside linebacker at times this season. That part of Galette's game has been up and down (like the rest of the defense, he's struggled at times in the open field). But he has remained decent as a pass-rusher.

Galette hasn't been as consistently disruptive as last season, but he has certainly been the Saints' best pass-rusher. He made the biggest defensive play of the season with his safety in Week 5 against Tampa Bay, and he almost made another one but couldn't hang on to a potential interception. If that performance is a sign of things to come, the Saints will be in better shape going forward.

Lofton has also been off to a very good start -- probably the best stretch of his three-year tenure with the Saints. He was the MVP of the Saints' first victory of the season against Minnesota. What has especially stood out with Lofton is how often he's made some aggressive, powerful hits at the line of scrimmage or behind the line of scrimmage.

Haralson has also had some nice moments while playing a lot more often than he did last season. Hawthorne and Humber have been more inconsistent, though, when it comes to tackling and open-field angles. And every linebacker, including Lofton, is just average in pass coverage.

The Saints' run defense hit rock bottom in Week 4 against Dallas and DeMarco Murray. But they responded great with a borderline-dominant performance against Tampa Bay's run game in Week 5.

ESPN scouting Insider Matt Williamson's take: "I think Galette's been good. I think (the other linebackers) are just a bunch of guys. I don't see big qualities there. It wouldn't blow me away if they used an early-round pick on an athletic, coverage second-level defender next year, somebody that can really run in the dome. ... I think Lofton's a good player. I don't think he's special, I don't think he's a Pro Bowler, but I think he's an above-average linebacker. I think their linebackers are OK. I think you're fine if your D-line is playing like it did last year and the secondary is playing up to their capabilities. But when things aren't going well, those guys look pretty average."

New Orleans Saints position spotlight: Linebackers - ESPN