Saints training camp previews: Secondary has potential to be defense’s strength

(This is Part 7 of a seven-part series previewing the Saints position by position heading into training camp.)

Position: Defensive back (16)
Marshon Lattimore (CB), Ken Crawley (CB), Patrick Robinson (CB), P.J. Williams (CB), De’Vante Harris (CB), Arthur Maulet (CB), Vonn Bell (S), Marcus Williams (S), Kurt Coleman (S), Chris Banjo (S)
Justin Hardee, Natrell Jamerson, Kamrin Moore, Linden Stephens, J.T. Gray, Sharrod Neasman

Overview: This is a young group that has the potential to be a strength on an improving defense. The addition of Lattimore as a No. 1 pick in the 2017 who went on to be the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year was a turning point for this unit and the defense as a whole. The addition of Robinson, who was a significant contributor to the Eagles Super Bowl title last season, brings in a much better player than he was when he departed three years ago, five years after being a New Orleans No. 1 draft choice. He’s likely to be a nickelback, partly because that was the role in which he thrived last season, but also in part because of the expectations for Crawley, who was much improved last season. He had a rocky rookie season in 2016 and was a healthy inactive for the first two games of 2017 before thriving when given an opportunity due to injuries. P.J. Williams is a promising youngster who provides solid depth.

The departure of Vaccaro takes away a former No. 1 pick who was a starter for five years, but who also was inconsistent during his tenure. Marcus Williams became a starter right away as a rookie No. 2 draft choice and had a good first season despite his botched tackle attempt that enabled Minnesota to score the winning touchdown on the final play of the Saints divisional playoff loss. Assuming Williams is able to put that mistake behind him – and his teammates and coaches seem confident that he will – he could join Lattimore as another potential long-term star. Bell showed improvement in his second season last year, but he’ll be challenged to hold on to his job with competition from Coleman, who’s likely to be a defensive leader after leaving Carolina in free agency. Banjo’s value on special teams makes him a strong candidate to stick around.

Starters at the end of 2017: Lattimore, Crawley, Bell, Marcus Williams
Other returning players: P.J. Williams, Harris, Maulet, Banjo, Hardee
Subtractions: Delvin Breaux (CB), Kenny Vaccaro (S), Rafael Bush (S)
Additions: Robinson, Coleman, Jamerson, Moore, Stephens, Gray, Neasman
Player to watch: Marcus Williams

Game plan: To continue the development of young players and find leaders. Training camp and the preseason will solidify the depth chart, but the traditional two corners and two safeties won’t be the only ones to have significant value because of the frequency with which the Saints line up with five or six defensive backs. Lattimore, both Williamses, Crawley, Bell and Coleman could all be considered starters. Jamerson and Moore are draft choices who will be given significant reps in training camp and the preseason games to see if either or both can make the team. It will be difficult for both to stick around and each will need to prove himself on special teams to stay in the mix. New Orleans’ roster lists six cornerbacks, four safeties and six defensive backs, showing the versatility of the group.

Quote to note: “I think we have some younger players that saw a lot of time last year. We’re deeper there than we’ve been. So, once we get started in training camp and then they’ll have a chance to start competing against some other teams, I think that that’ll help us. So far, I’m encouraged with the depth there and the competition in some of those spots.” – Coach Sean Payton on the secondary.

Series schedule:
June 13: Quarterbacks
June 20: Running backs/fullbacks
June 27: Wide receivers/tight ends
July 4: Offensive line
July 11: Defensive line
July 18: Linebackers
July 25: Defensive backs