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Pete Werner

Pete Werner
refer to caption
Werner with the Saints in 2021
No. 20 – New Orleans Saints
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1999-06-05) June 5, 1999 (age 25)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:242 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:Cathedral (Indianapolis)
College:Ohio State (2017–2020)
NFL draft:2021 / round: 2 / pick: 60
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2024
Total tackles:256
Sacks:0.5
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:4
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Pete Werner (born June 5, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State and was drafted by the Saints in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Early life

Werner grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and attended Cathedral High School. Werner initially committed to play college football at Notre Dame at the end of his junior year over offers from Duke, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin.[1] As a senior, he recorded 64 tackles, with 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks and was named Class 6A All-State.[2] Werner de-committed from Notre Dame during the season and re-opened his recruitment before opting to attend Ohio State.[3][4]

College career

Werner recorded nine tackles as a true freshman.[5] He had 58 tackles including 7.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in his sophomore season.[6][7][8] As a junior, Werner recorded 64 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two fumbles recovered and three passes broken up and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference.[9][10][11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+78 in
(1.90 m)
238 lb
(108 kg)
33+14 in
(0.84 m)
9 in
(0.23 m)
4.59 s 1.56 s 2.67 s 4.38 s 6.90 s 39.5 in
(1.00 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
20 reps
All values from Pro Day[12][13][14]

The New Orleans Saints selected Werner in the second round (60th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. Werner was the sixth linebacker drafted in 2021.[15]

On June 8, 2021, the New Orleans Saints signed Werner to a four-year, $5.64 million contract that includes $2.41 million guaranteed upon signing and a signing bonus of $1.49 million.[16]

During the beginning of training camp, Werner competed against second-year veteran Zack Baun to be the starting weakside linebacker.[17] Head coach Sean Payton named Werner the primary backup weakside linebacker, after the Saints signed Kwon Alexander to become the starter.[18]

On September 9, 2021, Werner made his professional regular season debut, appearing on special teams before exiting the Saints' 38-3 home-opening victory over the Green Bay Packers.

On January 1, 2022, Werner received a fine of $5,472 from the NFL due to a Horse-collar tackle on Miami Dolphins' running back Duke Johnson.[19]

On August 8, 2024, the New Orleans Saints signed Werner to a three–year, $22.50 million contract extension that includes $17.43 million guaranteed, $11.18 million guaranteed upon signing, and a signing bonus of $5.50 million.[20]

Personal life

Werner's father, Greg Werner, played college football at DePauw University and in the NFL for two seasons with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. His older brother Dan played college football at Harvard.[21]

References

  1. ^ Neddenriep, Kyle (February 15, 2016). "Cathedral's Pete Werner: 3 positions, 19 offers in football". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  2. ^ McGlade, Ryan (March 7, 2017). "New In Town: Pete Werner". 247Sports. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  3. ^ Neddenriep, Kyle (November 29, 2016). "Cathedral LB Pete Werner decommits from Notre Dame". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  4. ^ Zucker, Joseph (December 11, 2016). "Pete Werner to Ohio State: Buckeyes Land 4-Star LB". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  5. ^ Gerdeman, Tony (May 11, 2018). "Pete Werner Building Off of Last Year's Experience". The Ozone. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  6. ^ Lesmerises, Doug (August 27, 2019). "Why Ohio State's new linebackers are the Buckeyes' old linebackers: Doug Lesmerises". cleveland.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  7. ^ Jablonski, David (September 10, 2019). "Pete Werner: 'No big plays allowed' for Ohio State defense". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  8. ^ Means, Stephen (December 5, 2019). "Why Pete Werner's versatility allowed him to solidify himself as Ohio State football's third linebacker". cleveland.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  9. ^ Biddle, Dave (June 2, 2020). "Pete Werner a 'gifted player mentally' says Kerry Coombs". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  10. ^ Maisano, Keaton (September 11, 2019). "Pete Werner's athleticism and selflessness has helped Ohio State's defense". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  11. ^ Helwagen, Steve (October 1, 2020). "Watch: Werner taking on new role as OSU's Will linebacker". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  12. ^ "Pete Werner Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  13. ^ "2022 Draft Scout Pete Werner, Ohio State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  14. ^ "Pete Werner 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  15. ^ "New Orleans Saints select Pete Werner with the 60th pick". NewOrleansSaints.com. April 30, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  16. ^ Ortenberg, Andrew (June 8, 2021). "Saints Sign Entire Draft Class, Restructure Marshon Lattimore". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  17. ^ Larry Holder (July 30, 2021). "Saints training camp: Pete Werner, Zack Baun neck and neck for weakside linebacker role". NYTimes.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  18. ^ Jordan Dajani (September 2, 2021). "Saints depth chart 2021: New Orleans' new 53-man depth chart, starters after cut day". CBSsports.com.
  19. ^ "Spotrac.com: Pete Werner contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  20. ^ Simmons, Myles (August 8, 2024). "Saints, Pete Werner agree to three-year extension". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  21. ^ Rabinowitz, Bill (December 6, 2019). "For Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner, home is where the titles are". Buckeye Xtra. Retrieved May 28, 2023.