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Ex-Saints Linebacker Alex Anzalone Ranked NFL's Most Underrated Free Agent
PFF argues Anzalone could be a valuable veteran addition for the Saints or another team in 2026.
Published on Feb. 18, 2026
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Pro Football Focus NFL contributor Ryan Smith believes former New Orleans Saints and current Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is the most underrated free agent linebacker set to hit the market in 2026. Anzalone, 31, has been a consistent presence in the middle of the Lions' defense over the past three seasons and could provide stability and leadership to whichever team signs him.
Why it matters
The Saints may need to replace veteran linebacker Demario Davis this offseason, and Anzalone's familiarity with the organization and strong recent play could make him an appealing option to help fill that void. The Saints' linebacker corps lacks experienced depth beyond Pete Werner, so adding a proven veteran like Anzalone could be beneficial.
The details
Anzalone has played 1,000 or more snaps in three of his five NFL seasons, including the last three with the Lions. After a down year in 2021, he's bounced back with a cumulative 71.2 PFF grade over the past three seasons, and his missed tackle rate of 6.9% in 2025 was a career-best. Anzalone's improvement as a tackler is seen as a key factor in his value as a free agent.
- Anzalone was originally drafted by the Saints in 2017.
- Anzalone has spent the last three seasons with the Detroit Lions.
The players
Alex Anzalone
A 31-year-old linebacker who has spent the last three seasons with the Detroit Lions after being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2017.
Demario Davis
A veteran linebacker for the New Orleans Saints who may depart the team as a free agent this offseason.
Pete Werner
A linebacker for the New Orleans Saints who has started 63 games over the past five seasons but has never played more than 1,000 snaps in a single season.
What they’re saying
“Anzalone has been a rock in the middle of the Detroit Lions' defense since he arrived in 2021, playing 1,000 or more snaps in three of those seasons.”
— Ryan Smith, PFF NFL Contributor (Yahoo Sports)
“Anzalone's biggest area of improvement over the years has been as a tackler, and he's coming off a year in which his 6.9% missed tackle rate was a career best.”
— Ryan Smith, PFF NFL Contributor (Yahoo Sports)
What’s next
The Saints will need to decide whether to re-sign veteran linebacker Demario Davis or look to replace him this offseason. If Davis departs, Anzalone could be an appealing option for the Saints to add veteran experience and leadership to their linebacker corps.
The takeaway
This report highlights the potential value of Alex Anzalone as a free agent target for the Saints and other NFL teams. Despite his age, Anzalone has proven to be a reliable and improving linebacker over the past three seasons, making him an intriguing option to provide stability and veteran presence to a linebacker unit in need of experienced depth.
