New Orleans Saints: Complete roster breakdown vs. Arizona Cardinals
By Jason Reed
Defense:
Defensive line: Advantage, New Orleans Saints
While the Arizona Cardinals are fourth in the NFL in sacks, the advantage on the defensive line still goes to the Saints. The duo of Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins serves as the anchor of the defensive line while Marcus Davenport and Malcom Brown have both had solid years.
With the Cardinals running a 3-4 defense, most of their damage is done elsewhere, not with their three defensive linemen, which leads into the next position group.
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Linebackers: Advantage, Arizona Cardinals
This is where Chandler Jones comes into play. Jones has not just been one of the best pass-rushers of the last five years but actually leads the NFL in sacks since the 2015 season with 62. That is 7.5 more than the next person on the list, Aaron Donald.
Terrell Suggs has had a reinventive year with the Cardinals and is still productive despite his age. Jordan Hicks and Haason Reddick are both solid in the middle as well, although both are questionable.
The Saints have a good linebacker group but it still does not hold the advantage over the Cardinals.
Cornerback: Advantage, New Orleans Saints
Marshon Lattimore has really stepped up his game after a disappointing sophomore season and a slow start to this season. Lattimore has had some really impressive games against some really good receivers and has reasserted himself as one of the best young cornerbacks in the league.
Patrick Peterson is no slouch on the other side of the ball but it is safe to say that he is not as good as he was a few years ago and is only playing in his second game of the season.
With slightly better depth behind Lattimore, the advantage easily goes to the Saints.
Safety: Advantage, New Orleans Saints
Like Lattimore, Marcus Williams has put together a very strong season thus far that ultimately gives the advantage to the Saints over the Arizona Cardinals. Vonn Bell has been good, not great, thus far, which falls in line with Budda Baker on the Cardinals.
Next. Brees' return also brings back another weapon. dark
Deionte Thompson is not as good as either Bell or Baker and definitely is not as good as Williams, making this decision easy to make in favor of New Orleans.