The New Orleans Saints take Pete Werner, LB with the 60th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft

Day two of the 2021 NFL Draft was rapid-fast with teams trading and selecting players. After the dust settled, the New Orleans Saints ended up staying at pick 60. This was even after rumors of them wanting to trade up surfaced during the day just like round one. In the end, the Saints stayed at their original pick and took Ohio State Buckeye Pete Werner in round 2 with the 60th overall pick.

Saints fill linebacker need with 60th pick

Linebacker was a glaring hole going into the 2021 NFL Draft for the New Orleans Saints. At pick 60, the Saints had their choice of several positions but decided to fill it with Pete Werner. Werner is a rangy linebacker capable of playing nearly every position on the field.

At 6’2, 238 pounds, Werner has the size to be a good NFL linebacker. Werner also has the speed as he topped out at 4.59 seconds in 40-yard dash, turning heads at the Ohio State pro-day. His arm length and vertical also jumped off the page which likely helped him jump into the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

At Ohio State, Pete Werner played in nearly every game for the team in each of his sophomore, junior, and senior year, totaling 47 games of experience. Werner averaged almost five tackles a game in his sophomore and junior years. He exploded for nearly seven tackles a game in his senior season. Werner led the Buckeyes in tackles in 2020 and finished second in 2019. He also had 11 pass break ups in his career and four forced fumbles. Werner is a durable linebacker who will be asked to do everything in the Saints defense.

Pete Werner is the newest member of the New Orleans Saints

Pete Werner comes into a very thin New Orleans Saints linebacker room. The Saints defense has to improve in the middle of the field to compete in the NFC South in 2021. Werner will likely be asked to contribute immediately. All-pro Demario Davis can be freed up to play wherever needed if Werner shows up when games begin in the fall. The Saints fill a need with the 60th pick in round two of the NFL draft.

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