The New Orleans Saints are hosting free agent special teams ace Bryden Trawick on a visit Tuesday, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Trawick, listed as a safety, was selected for the 2017 Pro Bowl after leading the Tennessee Titans with 17 special teams tackles. A year earlier, he led the Oakland Raiders with 14 tackles on punts and kickoffs.
Trawick is as experienced as they come on special teams. He logged more snaps there over the last two years for Tennessee (399 in 2017, and 341 in 2018) than any other player. However, he’s appeared on defense just four times in that span. If he makes the squad, it would likely be purely in this capacity.
New Orleans appears set on special teams, but there’s something to be said for always looking to improve. They re-signed core special teamers Chris Banjo and Justin Hardee this offseason, and drafted Saquan Hampton, who started all four years at Rutgers on each of the kicking units. The Saints also added longtime Minnesota Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels and a prolific college prospect in Deonte Harris. We shouldn’t forget that they also signed kicker Wil Lutz to one of the richest contracts in NFL history for a placekicker.
Combine all of that with the hiring of new special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi and his staff, and it’s obvious this was an area of emphasis for the Saints. With the offense and defense each playing well throughout last season, it makes sense to improve the important third phase of the game.
