New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints try out edge rushers including Bjoern Werner

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Looking for help to improve a non-existent pass rush, the New Orleans Saints hosted ten players on Wednesday for tryouts.

Sep 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) is persued by Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bjoern Werner (92) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints defense is easily the weak link on the team and the anemic edge pass rush hasn’t helped. The only serious free agent brought in during the preseason was defensive end Paul Kruger who has a half a sack through four games.

On the other side of the line, Cameron Jordan has two and a half. The standout on the team so far is defensive tackle Nick Fairley with three sacks typically playing against double teams.

Something obviously has to give, and the Saints are scouring waiver wires and putting out wanted ads resulting in Wednesday’s cattle call.

There aren’t a lot of stand out names on the list other than Bjoern Werner. The German-born Florida State product was a first round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2013. A less than spectacular career with them led to him being labeled a bust. He recently spent a few months with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being cut before the start of this season.

Two Tulane products were on hand: Dezman Moses, who was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by Green Bay in 2012, and Royce LaFrance who was a 2016 training camp invite by the Saints.

Southern Cal product Greg Townsend, Jr. is the son of the Greg Townsend. His father owns the record for most sacks in franchise history with the Oakland Raiders, and is perhaps only notable for that and his ability to miss time due to a slew of injuries including a bout with chicken pox.

Wes Horton, also out of Southern Cal, had a semi-productive 2013 with the Panthers but has had issues with PEDs.

UConn’s Danny Lansanah had a productive 2014 season with the Buccaneers but little else. John Lotulelei is the brother of Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and was also with the team briefly. Furthermore, Andy Mulumba who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and was briefly with the Packers and Shaquille Riddick, a former Cardinals practice teamer round out the list.

It’s unlikely the Saints will find a diamond in the rough with this method and a trade is the only way the pass rusher issue will be addressed at this point in the season, unless someone already on the roster seriously steps up.

None of the players mentioned have been signed to this point.