As the New Orleans Saints get set to square off against the Detroit Lions, the team will be relying on some unknown or unheralded players to make a difference in Motown.
Outside of the team’s biggest names such as quarterback Tyler Shough, wide receiver Chris Olave, edge rusher Chase Young and running back Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans will need contributions from players lesser known to those not invested in the Saints.
Here are three of those players and the impact they can bring on Sunday.
WR Barion Brown
Rookie wide receiver Barion Brown is currently listed as the No. 3 wideout on the depth chart. That’s likely to change with receiver Kevin Austin Jr. being elevated from the team’s practice squad to the active roster for gameday. Still, Brown’s return specialization on special teams and his ability to take the top off of a defense could put him in position to make some impactful plays.
Brown didn’t return any kicks during the preseason, but that’s expected to change as the regular season kicks off. The speedy wideout brought six kick returns back for touchdowns during his collegiate career with both Kentucky and LSU. That was only one shy of the NCAA record.
The electric receiver also scored a touchdown in the final preseason game on a seven-yard jet sweep run, another way that he could look to get into the action on Sunday against the Lions. Whether as a returner, rusher or receiver, expect Brown to have some designed touches go his way, with a threat to break one.
TE Noah Fant
One of the Saints’ free agency signings, veteran tight end Noah Fant brings a lot more versatility and explosiveness to the New Orleans tight end room. Fant’s versatility and ability to contribute both as a blocker and receiver is undeniably valuable to the tight end room led by Ju’Juan Johnson.
Not only will he be able to provide the Saints another blocker in multi-tight end sets, but he will also be a threat to stretch the field and attack the seams when on the field.
S Jonas Sanker
While he was a large part of the offseason conversation in New Orleans, outside of Saints circles, safety Jonas Sanker is still just a second-year defensive back. However, his transition to the coveted STAR/slot defender role in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system places him firmly in the mix as a key contributor and playmaker for the team.
Sanker’s football IQ, downhill ability and coverage ability will all be tested in a premier matchup against Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, who dominates slot snaps for the team. If Sanker fares well in his matchup in the slot, he’ll give the Saints’ defense a huge boost toward pulling together an upset in the season opener.
