New Orleans Saints 2019 draft outlook: Safeties
 

With a pair of young, affordable and reliable players locked in as the starters, the New Orleans Saints have positioned themselves into a sweet spot at safety thanks to some successful recent drafts.

Marcus Williams is entering his third season as a pro after the Saints took him in the second round out of Utah in 2017. He picked off six passes, broke up 10 and made 130 tackles in his first two years with the Saints.

https://www.nola.com/resizer/LE18_dx...63JLHT55VI.jpg

Next to him, Vonn Bell — another former second-round pick — blossomed in his third season with the Saints. His improvement in coverage allowed him to see the field in a more traditional safety role after being used heavily around the line of scrimmage in 2017. Still, that is where he is strongest: 40 of his career-high 88 tackles came in run support.

Williams turns 23 in September, Bell turns 25 in December. Between them, they will count about $3 million against the Saints salary cap in 2019.

Veteran Kurt Coleman was jettisoned this offseason to save $4 million in salary cap space, his price not matching his production. Bell’s rise caused Coleman’s role to dip dramatically as the season progressed, evidenced most prominently In New Orleans’ two playoff games when Coleman played just three defensive snaps.

The position is entrusted to the youngsters, but that does not mean New Orleans can hold fast with what it currently has — especially if it is being mindful of the future.

With less than four weeks remaining before the draft, we’re analyzing the Saints’ needs at each position. The 11-part series began last week with the offense.

more on NOLA

Re: New Orleans Saints 2019 draft outlook: Safeties
 

I'll admit, I haven't really kept up with college safeties last season. I'm sure there is a Derwin James in that bunch?

Side note - Marcus Williams needs to step up in year #3. He was kind of invisible in 2018.

Re: New Orleans Saints 2019 draft outlook: Safeties
 

I too was somewhat disappointed. I'm hoping it was a sophomore slump and that he will bounce back because he sure was a crowd pleaser his first year. Nonetheless, we still need Good depth because we were lucky with the injuries in the secondary last year.