Junior

Galette

Galette appeared close to signing with the Browns last week, but nothing came of it. Coming off back-to-back torn Achilles, Galette managed three sacks with the Redskins last season.

With Smith sidelined, Galette is New Orleans’ only legit edge rusher. Galette quietly racked up 4.5 sacks in an extremely limited role last year, and put some heat on Blaine Gabbert in Friday’s preseason game. ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas expects Galette to be a “regular” in the rotation even when Smith returns.

Galette was injured in the first quarter, and X-rays taken in the locker room were negative. He has registered four sacks as part of the rotation behind Will Smith and Cameron Jordan this season.

Smith and Martez Wilson were with the ones, while Junior Galette and Victor Butler were with the twos. As we pointed out days ago, this attempt by the Saints to move 6-foot-3, 282-pound Smith to stand-up edge rusher is quite comical. Galette and Butler are younger and much more talented at this stage of their respective careers. Smith, due $3 million, is a candidate to be released.

Manned by DeMarcus Ware in Dallas and Aldon Smith in San Francisco, the weak side is the primary pass-rushing position in a 3-4 scheme. Galette should have little trouble holding off converted DE Will Smith to start. Galette has 9.5 sacks across the past two seasons, but could flirt with double digits in 2013.

Wilson, a linebacker at Illinois, flashed with three sacks as a nickel pass rusher in 2012 and at 6-foot-4, 252, is built like a 3-4 outside linebacker. Galette, who goes 6-foot-2, 258, racked up five sacks in a rotational role. It’s conceivable that Galette and Wilson could open the 2013 season as New Orleans’ bookend outside rushers with Cam Jordan and Akiem Hicks on the ends.

“The 3-4 is what I ran in college and it’s something similar to we ran with coach Gregg Williams,” Jordan said. “It’s a blitzing, attacking system. ... Without a doubt [Junior Galette and Martez Wilson] will be the most excited about the situation.” Jordan recorded eight sacks in 2012, his second season out of Cal. Galette and Wilson will compete for the outside-rush linebacker spots.

“Any transition (to outside linebacker) I would have to make would be smooth,” Galette said. “God blessed me with the ability to move around, and I would be blessed to make that transition.” Galette managed five sacks on just 26 percent of the snaps last season. He’s viewed as one of the cornerstones to build on.

Other teams can make offers on either player, but the Saints would have the right of first refusal and would receive a second-round pick if either player were to leave. De La Puente graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 center last season, and Galette figures to be an edge rusher in the Saints’ new 3-4 scheme. The tenders leave the Saints about $6 million over the cap. That means more moves have to come before Tuesday and veterans Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma and Roman Harper are candidates for restructure or release.

Galette is viewed internally as a likely starter at rush ‘backer in new coordinator Rob Ryan’s 3-4. 25 years old and built to rush from a two-point stance at 6-foot-2, 258, Galette posted a career-high five sacks in 2012, operating mostly as a nickel end. He now has a chance to be an every-down player. The Saints’ other OLB position will be up for grabs, with Martez Wilson as the leading in-house candidate. Victor Butler would be an intriguing free-agent pickup.