The New Orleans Saints tied the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-17 on Sunday at Caesars Superdome in the home opener, and once again, a young linebacker made his presence felt in a crowded room.
The week’s standout player did a little bit of everything and finally flashed the potential he showed during his time as a Texas Longhorn. The breakout player from the Saints’ Week 2 preseason draw with the Jaguars is LB Jaylan Ford.
The 2024 fifth-round pick absolutely balled out on Sunday, recording three total tackles, two pressures, two stops and an incredibly athletic interception off veteran QB Nick Mullens. Ford posted a 90.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, along with a 91.7 coverage grade for the day. A performance like this was essential for the 23-year-old, who struggled to stay healthy during his rookie season.
It also helps that two of his former college coaches are now on the Saints’ defensive staff—defensive line coach Bo Davis and defensive backs coach Terry Joseph—and that the team drafted his former Longhorns teammate, DT Vernon Broughton, in the third round of this year’s draft. Those factors likely added to his motivation for a bounce-back season in year two.
This is the second straight week the young linebacker corps has exceeded expectations. With rookie fourth-round LB Danny Stutsman continuing to live up to the hype, and last week’s breakout player in second-year LB Isaiah Stalbird delivering another promising performance, confidence is growing in the depth behind Demario Davis and Pete Werner in the linebacker room.