It can be easy for offensive players to standout during offseason practices, especially at skill positions. That’s why the New Orleans Saints on-field work became so intriguing to watch, because the battle between the offense and defense remained fierce all throughout.
Here are some of the Saints defenders that kept showing up practice after practice that have created a strong impression to remember until training camp kicks off in July.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
McKinstry was rarely targeted in the practices that the local media had a chance to observe. During the final day some mental errors in the defensive backside got the best of them, but otherwise, his offseason was very strong. He became a deterrent for quarterbacks, something he excelled in during his collegiate days as well.
S Julian Blackmon
Getting Blackmon back to New Orleans was a big win for the team. His ability as a ball-hawking, takeaway generator should provide an important boost to the defense’s confidence. While it was a no-brainer for Blackmon to return, the Saints were excited to have him back and all the expectations around him quickly came to fruition.
While the media didn’t see any interceptions from Blackmon, he was constantly around the ball all throughout the practices including a few times wherein he laid out to try to reel in an overthrow or missed connection. Coaches and players will often say that creating turnovers is just as much about mentality as it is about physical play. Blackmon is the paramount example of what that mentality looks like.
S Jonas Sanker
Sanker’s new role as the STAR defender suits him well. He’s a physical player with good downhill ability. He was able to crash down on a few throws to the flats that, in a game situation, would have presented him an open-field tackle for a loss opportunity.
With the lack of contact in offseason practices it was hard to get an early idea of how well he can produce as a pass rusher and run stopper in his new role, but previous tape is evidence for promise. He appears comfortable in one of the more integral and demanding roles on the roster.
DT Christen Miller
Again, identifying the pass rush and run game can be challenging during these practices, but it only took one appearance for Miller to provide some play in the trenches that was too obviously impressive to miss.
At his size, (6-foot-4, 321 pounds) he moves remarkably well while also being a force in the middle. Miller appeared tough to move, even by the first-team offensive line, and created opportunities for linebackers to shoot gaps in the run game.
Sometimes, as a defensive tackle, it’s not just about what you do individually but what you create for others. Miller did that at such an obviously impactful level that it was observable in his debut minicamp appearance.
