Saints Will See Some Familiar Faces In 2015 Opponents
LB Khairi Fortt and TE Nic Jacobs (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Jun 11, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Khairi Fortt (54) during minicamp at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Another huge miss for the Sean Payton draft classes will go down with Fortt being right up their with the aforementioned Al Woods.
Fortt was a fourth round pick in 2014 out of the University of California and expected to bring some pass rushing skills after he was moved to the outside linebacker position.
After a leg injury in the second preseason game of that year, Fortt was moved to short term injured reserve and expected to be back after the bye week of the regular season.
But Fortt was released mysteriously and almost under the radar on October 6th with Payton having little to say on the matter.
In a later report by NOLA.com’s Katherine Terrell, Fortt had missed several team meetings which lead to a possible question of maturity issues.
Following his release, Fortt was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals and placed on their practice squad.
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed him off the Bengals practice squad in November of 2014 and he was active for 3 games where he had one tackle.
Sep 28, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Nic Jacobs catches a second quarter touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jacobs was signed by the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2014 after playing collegiately for LSU and McNeese State.
With the position stacked, Jacobs was waived by the Saints during the preseason but stashed the 6-5, 269 lb. tight end on the practice squad.
The Jaguars ended up signing Jacobs in late September and he caught his first career touchdown less than a week after being on the roster.
Considering the Saints current scramble at tight end, Jacobs could have been a welcome face to see on the roster after a year to develop, but hindsight is 20/20 as they say.
Jacobs may be in a fight for a roster spot considering the Jaguars are loaded at tight end and headed by veteran Marcedes Lewis and high priced former Denver Broncos pass catcher Julius Thomas.
The Jaguars will come to New Orleans for a Week 15 game on December 27th at 12:00 p.m. CST.