As the New Orleans Saints navigate their first training camp under head coach Kellen Moore, much of the talk has focused on the quarterback competition. Yet amidst that buzz and drama, a new story is emerging. An under-the-radar rookie is rapidly transforming into one of the hottest prospects on the Saints’ roster. Linebacker Danny Stutsman, a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma, is quickly turning heads for his play in training camp.
Early in camp, all eyes were on the Saints’ quarterback battle involving second-round draft pick Tyler Shough and veterans Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. But as practices rolled on, Stutsman’s name kept resurfacing. Three separate reports from local sources highlighted his standout performances:
- Garland Gillen shared that rookie linebacker Danny Stutsman “continues to deliver big plays for the Saints defense,” including intercepting quarterback Spencer Rattler. Gillen noted Stutsman will “push for playing time this fall for the black and gold.”
- Chris Rosovglou commented, “I feel like Danny Stutsman is going to make it hard for the Saints coaches to keep him off the field. The dude can play.”
- John Hendrix quoted head coach Kellen Moore as saying Stutsman has done “an excellent, excellent job,” pointing out his consistent play and ability to defend routes.
To get this much positive reporting, including from the head coach, doesn’t happen by accident. Stutsman appears to be emerging as a legitimate star in New Orleans.
Stutsman performance in Saints camp should not come as a suprise. The young LB was a multi year starter at Oklahoma who was incredibly productive. The advanced analytics prove this out. Let’s start with the “stop” metric, the number of plays a defensive player makes that result in a loss for the offense (such as tackles for no gain). Stutsman clearly stands out when compared to peers like Carson Schwesinger, Demetrius Knight, and Jeffrey Bassa.
What’s more, this wasn’t a one-year wonder. Stutsman recorded 54 stops in 2022, 47 in 2023, and 55 in 2024. This consistency highlights his ability to produce at the highest level in changing circumstances.
Stutsman’s perfomance goes beyond just raw production. Using advanced analytics from Pro Football Focus (PFF), the young LB is again evaluated, this time for his overall grade and run defense grade. When ranked alongside the same peer group, Stutsman stands out as the best run defender by a wide margin. His overall grade is top-tier as well.
This is especially relevant considering the Saints’ dire need for improvement against the run. New Orleans ranked among the worst teams in advanced run defense metrics last season. They found themselves being much closer to the lowly Carolina Panthers than to the average teams in football. The graphic below illustrates this weakness very clearly. This is where Stutsman can enter the fold and immediately contribute. His run defense was outstanding in college and will likely be used on Day 1 to assist the Saints defensive improvement. The Saints appear to have secured a major bargain and exactly what their struggling defense requires.
Stutsman is more than just a production machine; he is known for his leadership and locker room presence. At Oklahoma, he was a three-year captain and vocal team leader. While it will take time for him to earn that kind of role in New Orleans, Stutsman will be well prepared to step up when the opportunity comes.
Concerns from his draft profile, such as lacking “explosive stack and shed pop” or not always delivering the first blow to blockers (according to NFL.com), are likely overhyped. Stutsman’s results in college and early NFL practices speak far louder than scouting nitpicks.
Early reviews are unanimous when it comes to Danny Stutsman. He’s exceeding expectations in all the areas New Orleans needs most. With a skill set tailor-made for the Saints’ most glaring weakness, and an approach that teammates rally behind, Stutsman just might be remembered as one of the true steals of the 2025 draft. Whether he’s an immediate starter or special teams ace, his work ethic, leadership, and run-stopping ability are expected to make him a long-term asset and key contributor for New Orleans.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
