New Orleans Saints: 5 Key Players For The 2015 Season

Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Mike Adams (76) and guard David DeCastro (66) double team block New Orleans Saints defensive end Akiem Hicks (76) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Saints won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

4. Akiem Hicks

Junior Galette is gone and Cam Jordan can’t do it all on his own. Even with Galette and Jordan last season the Saints’ defensive line wasn’t able to consistently create pressure and that exposed their weak secondary on a weekly basis.

In 2014 Hicks finished with 42 tackles and a disappointing 2 under the “sacks” stat line. I’m not saying he’s expected to get double-digit sacks every year (he’s not that kind of player) but he should be able to make a bigger impact on the field and create more opportunities for other players to pressure opposing quarterbacks by disrupting the pocket more often.

The Saints are pretty thin on the defensive line so Hicks must step up and deliver this year because otherwise the we’ll see a lot of big plays that can kill the Saints’ chances to win games, just like it happened last year.

Next: Jairus Byrd