After complementing Demario Davis for three years, rock-solid Pete Werner now faces a challenge for both playing time and a bigger contract

Pete Werner, a steady presence for the New Orleans Saints defense, now needs to step up as a playmaker alongside Demario Davis.

After being a reliable complement to Demario Davis for three years, Pete Werner is now facing a challenge to earn more playing time and potentially a larger contract.

Demario Davis has been an exceptional defender for the Saints since joining the team in 2018, consistently recording over 105 tackles and at least 10 tackles for loss in each of the last six seasons. Known for his strong run defense and versatility in pass coverage and rushing the quarterback, Davis has set a high standard for linebacker play.

The Saints have struggled to find a suitable partner for Davis at linebacker. Previous attempts with players like Alex Anzalone and Kaden Elliss had mixed results due to injuries and coverage issues.

Despite acquiring Kwon Alexander in 2020 as an athletic complement to Davis, injuries hampered his performance, and he left the team in free agency after a short stint.

The Saints brought in Willie Gay Jr. as a free agent, who has shown promise with his athleticism and instincts during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Gay is on a one-year deal and will have to compete with Pete Werner, who has been a consistent presence at linebacker for the Saints, for playing time.

For the Saints defense to excel, Pete Werner must step up as a big playmaker alongside Demario Davis and prove himself worthy of a more significant role within the team.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, New Orleans picked Pete Werner in the second round, selecting him as the 60th overall choice from Ohio State. He was the fifth off-ball linebacker drafted that year and the sixth player from Ohio State to be drafted during Sean Payton’s 16-year coaching tenure.

During his final three seasons at Ohio State, Werner accumulated 16 tackles for loss out of his impressive total of 176 tackles. He also managed to break up 11 passes, record four sacks, and force or recover six fumbles, earning him 1st Team All-Big 10 honors in his senior year.

As a rookie in 2021, Werner initially contributed mainly on special teams in his first two games before earning his first career start in Week 3 due to an injury to Alexander. In Week 5 against Washington, he displayed his knack for being involved in every play by leading all defenders in tackles (13) and solo stops (8).

Despite Alexander’s return from injury, Werner had proven his value and was not relegated to a backup role. In 15 games with limited playing time (40% of defensive snaps), Werner tallied 62 total tackles, 36 solo stops, and four tackles for loss.

 

Werner secured a starting position alongside Davis at the beginning of the 2022 season with ease. Throughout the first half of that season, he emerged as arguably the most reliable defensive player for the team.

In the first nine games, Werner led the NFL in both solo tackles and total stops. He consistently recorded at least seven tackles in seven of those nine games and achieved double-digit tackles in four games, highlighted by an impressive 12 solo tackles in the season opener.

However, a hamstring injury sidelined Werner in Week 9, causing him to miss four games and affecting his performance upon his return. Despite this setback, he managed to accumulate 80 total tackles, including 56 solo tackles and three tackles for loss, in just 11 games played. He also forced two fumbles and broke up three passes during the season.

In the following season, Werner maintained his strong performance for New Orleans, starting in 16 out of 17 games and participating in 88% of the defensive snaps. His 93 total tackles, with 60 solo stops, ranked second on the team behind Davis. Additionally, he secured his first career interception, recovered two fumbles, recorded a sack, and notched four tackles for loss.

Standing at 6’3″ and 242 lbs, Werner possesses good size and pairs it with underrated athleticism. He demonstrates exceptional awareness, excels in analyzing opposing offenses, and exhibits instincts that keep him involved in plays. While Davis leads as the defensive captain, Werner is more than capable of assuming the role of play-caller for the unit in Davis’ absence.

Werner shines as a standout tackler, delivering powerful hits and showing the physicality needed to take on blockers in the tackle box. His straight-line speed is sufficient to meet runners at the edge or make plays in pursuit. With his keen awareness, agility, and reactive skills, Werner proves to be solid in short-zone coverage.