With plenty of changes this off-season, the New Orleans Saints will be looking for new leaders and performers going into the 2015 season. Most recently with the release of outside linebacker Junior Galette, the defense will be searching for another name to step up in his place.
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One name that comes to mind doesn’t play linebacker, it is defensive end Akiem Hicks who is coming into his own for the Saints. Hicks had a disappointing 2014 season with just 42 tackles and two sacks, but with more opportunities staring at him in 2015 his talent should bring in higher expectations this year.
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The projection on Hicks’ breakout season isn’t just about his talent or search of redemption, it’s all about the opportunity. Starting on the defensive line on the opposite end of Cameron Jordan, Hicks is in a 3-4 defense that could use his production in a big way.
In his best season in 2013, Hicks recorded 56 tackles and 4.5 sacks and redemption for him will come with better sack numbers. Behind the defensive line there is a linebacker core of Anthony Spencer, Dannell Ellerbee, and David Hawthorne with the likelihood of rookie Stephone Anthony filling the void left by the release of Galette.
This is a defensive group that for the most part will be relatively new playing with each other and will lean on Cameron Jordan to be their leader, but the mystery of Hicks makes him an undoubtedly must watch player on the defense this season.
The team’s secondary will feature veterans Brandon Browner and Keenan Lewis at the cornerback positions with Kenny Vaccaro and Jarius Byrd at safety, meaning even more new faces on the field, with all projected 11 guys out to make a case for themselves.
One big issue for New Orleans is the lack of depth after their projected starters. After reviewing their roster, there isn’t much to be confident in after the defensive starters which again, brings more pressure and opportunity to players like Hicks.
Even more, with Galette gone there is a huge opportunity for Hicks and other members of the Saints defense to make not just a name for themselves, but make a statement that their team is better off without players like Galette. Hicks has not come up in the headlines or ever shined a negative spotlight on the franchise as Galette did.
There were comments made by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis in which he seemed to have expressed regret for signing Galette to a big contract last off-season, but 2015 will not be a regret on the defense. There are many players, Hicks in particular, who have a chance to show the team that they deserve the spotlight.
Check out the highlight film of Hicks below. He’s big, strong, and moves quickly off the snap of the ball all of which makes him an above average run stopper.
Hicks may not get the most sacks on his team or a double-digit total of sacks in 2015, but on the opposite end of Cameron Jordan, he’ll certainly be able to create havoc of his own and show his true potential as a top defensive lineman in the NFL.
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