New Orleans Saints: Why Marcus Davenport was worth the trade

The New Orleans Saints paid a steep price to select Marcus Davenport at the 2018 NFL Draft, but it was worth the price of doing business.

The New Orleans Saints have been searching for their road back to the Super Bowl since 2009. Sean Payton and Drew Brees brought the Saints to victory over the legendary Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

With Brees under center, the Saints have continuously held a high-octane offense. It was the defense that held New Orleans back and put the team in a slump for a number of years.

Last season, the Saints finally fixed their defensive crisis with a good draft, as well as signing additional free agent talent.

By drafting Marcus Davenport in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Saints have put faith in another rookie prospect to flourish.

Many experts and analysts projected Davenport to be drafted by the Green Bay Packers as the fourteenth pick in the first round. Davenport was correctly chosen at No. 14, but he didn’t end up in Green Bay.

New Orleans swapped their first-round pick with the Packers, along with their first-round pick for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Critics may claim that it was a hefty price to pay to move up only thirteen spots in the draft order. In saying that, Davenport was considered the best edge-rusher to come out of the draft.

Cameron Jordan and Vonn Bell have already been giving quarterbacks trouble. Jordan alone ended the season with 13 sacks and two forced fumbles. Adding Davenport to the defensive line might be the perfect fit.

Offensive lines will tire out quickly if Jordan and Davenport are providing QB pressure on both sides.

The youth of the Saints has catapulted the team from mediocrity to a devastating threat once again. Marshon Lattimore contributed the most to building New Orleans’ fearful defense. The rest of the league took notice, as Lattimore was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

By the end of the regular season, Lattimore had five interceptions and one defensive touchdown on his résumé.

Lattimore wasn’t the only defensive player last year to make a big impact for New Orleans. As a rookie safety, Marcus Williams helped cover the secondary and stop offensive drives.

Unfortunately, Williams has been forever branded as the player who missed the tackle on Stefon Diggs, which allowed the Minneapolis Miracle.

Despite one crucial play, Williams had a great rookie season by collecting four interceptions on the year. Williams told reporters how that one haunting play only fuels his motivation.

"“You can’t let it beat you down. I’m gonna take it upon myself to do all that I can to never let that happen again”"

Only one play stood between the New Orleans Saints and making the NFC Championship Game. Davenport has the potential to be the building block that adds better stability to the Saints’ defense.

New Orleans has three extremely valuable rookies from last year who are more experienced for their sophomore season.

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The Saints have potential to find their road back to the Super Bowl once again, and it all begins with their newly obtained Fountain of Youth.