For the sixth consecutive offseason, we're ranking the New Orleans Saints' top players; this year it'll be their top 20. We'll publish a http://www.ochomesnloans.com/chris-scott-jersey-c-1_18.html new player each weekday as we inch closer to training camp.
Eight players from last year's list are no longer on this year's list: No. 4 Brandin Cooks, No. 9 Stephone Anthony, No. 10 Keenan Lewis, No. 11 Coby Fleener, No. 16 James Laurinaitis, No. 17 Jairus Byrd, No. 19 Tim Hightower, No. 20 Thomas Morstead.
This year's list brought a unique challenge with a 40 percent turnover from the 2016 top 20 rankings. It's difficult to decipher how well some players will recover from injury. It's also a challenge to determine how good some of the newbies (young and old) will fit into the mix.
I sense there won't be a consensus outside the No. 1 player:
No. 15: LB Dannell Ellerbe
Last year's rank: 18
Season: 9; Age: 31; Height: 6-1; Weight: 245
I want to rank Ellerbe higher. I can't.
He had 44 total tackles and four http://www.yadeos.com/chris-scott-jersey-c-1_45.html sacks in only nine total games played last season. In 2016, he suited up only six games and started four. If Ellerbe could last a whole season, he could easily one of the most productive defensive players on the Saints' roster.
Ellerbe's inability to stay healthy is a primary reason the Saints added six linebackers (five free agents, one draft pick) the past two offseasons.
The veteran linebacker is heading into the final year of his contract. Obviously, this is a make-or-break season for him.
He had been running with the first-team linebackers during this offseason, which isn't a surprise because of his talent. Then Ellerbe was nowhere to be found on the practice field missing part of organized team activities and all of minicamp with Carlos Hyde Womens Jersey an apparent injury.
Just more of the same uncertainty from Ellerbe.