Manti

Te'o

The Saints decidedly healthy-scratched Te’o during the second half of the season, allowing Alex Anzalone to get reps ahead of him. The former Notre Dame standout showed glimpses of hope in his minimal time on the field last season and would likely add value to an Oakland linebacker corps that currently has Marquel Lee and Kyle Wilber penciled in as starters. The drama would obviously be worthwhile if it’s Burfict who signs on to join the silver and black.

Te’o had already been linked with the Raiders, but this is the first note of interest from the Lions. The former second-round pick was a healthy scratch most of last season in New Orleans, but he is a solid option at linebacker. Both Detroit and Oakland could use some help there.

A decent-ish role player the past two years in New Orleans, Te’o had been on the street since the Saints opted not to re-sign him last offseason. The Saints are banged up at linebacker — Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein were both injured last Thursday — and 28-year-old Te’o can immediately plug back into the system and soak up snaps.

Te’o was not on the injury report, so this appears to be a healthy scratch. The linebacker saw his playing time cut last week, but it is still something of a surprise. New Orleans also declared DE Marcus Davenport (toe), C Will Clapp, S J.T. Gray, OL Chaz Green, DE Mitchel Loewen, and OT Michael Ola inactive for Week 9.

Te’o will slot in next to Donald Butler as a starter at inside linebacker in the Chargers’ 3-4 defense, but we suspect he will not be a three-down defender from the get-go. D.J. Smith could also give Te’o a run for his money.

Acee calls Te’o one of the three most NFL-ready rookies he’s covered the past nine years, grouping him with Shawne Merriman and Kendall Reyes. Te’o’s instincts are a strong suit, so it’s not a surprise he’s shining in pad-less practices. It’s tempting to call Te’o “mature” for the way he’s handled interviews and press conferences, but also a reach for someone who was duped by a nonexistent girlfriend. We don’t doubt Te’o could be a steady, if unspectacular, presence for the Chargers’ defense this season.

“I knew my work ethic was going to be the thing that pulls me through,” Te’o said. It’s an interesting comment from a player who originally blamed his slow 40-yard dash (4.82) on exhaustion. Te’o also believes he shines in the film room. “A lot of this game is played mentally. Little of it is played physically. Your mind makes your body move. I try to get my preparation that way.” Te’o is admitting what’s evident on tape — he relies on “feel” and awareness more than his athleticism to make plays.

“Our plan is for him to play three downs, and when we scouted him, we believed that’s what he’d be,’' McCoy said. “But he’ll have to earn that, obviously. If he’s the best guy on all three downs, he’ll be in there.’' McCoy’s comments come after GM Tom Telesco said Te’o may not play many passing downs as a rookie. Although Te’o views his instincts and play diagnosis as strengths — keys for linebackers dropping into coverage — his suspect athleticism could still end up sending him to the pine more often than not on third down.

“If a middle linebacker runs a 4.82 but he is instinctive and quick in a short area, the 40-yard dash time doesn’t matter,” one GM said. “At that position what matters is they are productive and make plays.” Te’o has certainly proven he can rack up statistics, but there are real questions about whether he’s quick enough to position himself to consistently make plays in the NFL. He’s not in for a legendary draft fall, but he needs to be faster at Notre Dame’s Pro Day.

Whereas talking heads projected Te’o in the top five during the season, the new consensus is he’s a late first-rounder. Schefter cited Te’o’s on-field instincts, impressive interviews, and stronger shuttle times as reasons his stock remains among the draft’s top-32 players. Denver (No. 28), Atlanta (30), and Baltimore (32) are all potential landing spots toward the end of day one.