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jeanpierre

BY ROD WALKER | rwalker@theadvocate.com Apr 8, 2019 - 8:24 am

Saints free agent defensive tackle Tyeler Davison is taking a visit to his team's biggest rival.

Davison is visiting with the Atlanta Falcons, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Davison played in 14 games, starting in 12 last season. He recorded 23 tackles, including two tackles for loss. He also had three quarterback hurries and a pair of sacks.

The Saints selected Davison in the fifth round of the 2015 draft out of Fresno State.

The possible loss of Davison has been a big part of the Saints' thought process in free agency. It's a big reason the team signed Malcom Brown , who spent the past four seasons with the New England Patriots. The team also signed Mario Edwards Jr., who can play both defensive tackle and end. Edwards spent last season with the New York Giants.

"We just had to address the defensive line position," Sean Payton said at the NFL owners' meetings in March. "Part of that was, Tyeler is a free agent and Sheldon (Rankins) is going to be up against the timeline when we start the year. Put that with Tyeler and it was a must-position. We signed a couple of players there. We just felt like if the season were to start as we came out of last year, Sheldon’s unhealthy, Tyeler’s a free agent and you really had our young player (Stallworth) and Onyemata."

Rankins will miss the first part of the season after suffering a torn Achilles in the playoffs. Onyemata's status for the start of the season is unknown after he was cited for allegedly having marijuana delivered to his home.

The loss of Davison would be the second key piece of the defensive line. Defensive Alex Okafor signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

K Major

I'm not surprised.

jeanpierre

SmashMouth

Rotational player, but not a difference maker. Wish him well.

K Major

Precisely.

I thought Stallworth (rookie) played better than TD in 2018 with a higher upside. Coach Nielson brought out some dawg in him too.

The signing of Malcom Brown (huge upgrade) will make Davison expendable.

jeanpierre

I believe in today's NFL, ALL defensive linemen should be rotated, as they do in hockey. Less injury, Fresher Pass Rush, and you can reduce the need to commit so much valuable cap space to one defensive lineman...

Not sure what money Davison's camp was asking from the Saints, but it's of little consequence as the Saints spent on Malcolm in the Middle; but I thought he was a very good defender in a solid rotation...

CheramieIII

Looks like we are OK letting him go so the rookie must be the replacement?

ChrisXVI

Not surprising. He fills a need for them.

saintsfan1976

Draft full of talent. Let him walk.