Nate

Bussey

The 2011 seventh-rounder was drafted to be a core special teams player for the Saints. He’ll take the roster spot of Will Herring, who suffered an undisclosed injury in the season finale.

A seventh-round pick last season, Bussey was waived at final cuts. He was re-signed in January. Getting waived at this stage of camp suggests he isn’t a candidate for the practice squad.

The 2011 seventh-rounder was waived by the Saints on Saturday. It’s doubtful he’s more than a camp body for the Jags, but Bussey should get a look on special teams against his former team on Thursday.

He’s also expected to be a weak-side and nickel-type linebacker. We originally had Bussey at 215 pounds, but he was 6'1/228 at his Pro Day and ran a 4.51 forty. That’s a pretty good blend for a “teams” specialist. Fellow rookie and Illinois alum Martez Wilson will be directly in the mix to start.

Bussey must have flashed on tape when the Saints were scouting third-round teammate Martez Wilson. Bussey didn’t break into the starting lineup until his senior season, but he showed explosive sideline-to-sideline pursuit with good coverage ability. Just 215 pounds, he’ll start his career on special teams.

If Bussey makes the team, it will be as a core special teamer. He projects as a nickel kind of linebacker at best.