This week, we’re introducing a new series highlighting a player worth keeping an eye on heading into each matchup. With the New Orleans Saints hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL
season at Caesars Superdome, the player to watch is LB Danny Stutsman.
Over the past two games, Stutsman’s reps have finally been increasing—something many have been asking for, especially considering Pete Werner’s struggles.
Against the Patriots in Week 6, this year’s fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma took some first-team reps in place of Werner, who was on the sidelines holding his helmet, and immediately made an impact with a stop. He finished the day with three tackles and two stops. Not to mention, he’s the ultimate hype man: when Jaylan Ford made a nice special teams play, Stutsman was firing him up the entire way off the field.
The trend continued against the Bears in Week 7, as Stutsman briefly replaced Werner and immediately provided a spark, recording five total tackles and two stops, including an 80.4 tackling grade from Pro Football Focus on 16 defensive snaps—while Werner posted a 44.2 overall grade (28.9 tackling grade) from PFF, with just one tackle and a missed tackle on 36 defensive snaps.
With the Saints’ run defense struggling, it’s time for Stutsman to replace Werner permanently. The 22-year-old had the second-most tackles against the run this past Sunday in Chicago with four, only behind Demario Davis’ eight. His average depth at the tackle was 2.3 yards, compared to Davis’ 5.9.
It’s time for the linebacker unit to follow in the footsteps of the young secondary and embrace the youth movement. Here are the three defensive backs responsible for New Orleans’ four interceptions this season: Kool-Aid McKinstry (23 years old), Jonas Sanker (22), and Quincy Riley (24).
