Pete Werner

NFL CAREER – Selected by the Saints in the second round (60th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft, this smart, versatile linebacker made an immediate impact on defense and special teams, Werner appeared in 15 games with eight starts, posting 59 tackles (36 solo) and three special teams stops. Heading into 2022 season, the Ohio State product looks to continue to build off a solid rookie campaign.

NFL CAREER – Selected by the Saints in the second round (60th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft, this smart, versatile linebacker made an immediate impact on defense and special teams, Werner appeared in 15 games with eight starts, posting 59 tackles (36 solo) and three special teams stops. Heading into 2022 season, the Ohio State product looks to continue to build off a solid rookie campaign.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed to a four-year contract, 6/8/21; Selected by the New Orleans Saints in the second round (60th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.

2021 – Played in 15 games with eight starts at weakside linebacker, posting 59 tackles (37 solo) and three special teams stops…Vs. Green Bay, Sept. 12, made NFL debut on special teams…Inactive (hamstring) at Carolina, Sept. 19…At New England, Sept. 26, made first NFL start and played on special teams, finishing with two defensive tackles (one solo)…Started and had a career-high ten tackles (six solo) with one quarterback hit, vs. N.Y. Giants, Oct. 3...At Washington, Oct. 10, started and led the team with a career-high 13 tackles (eight solo)…Started and recorded six tackles (five solo), at Seattle, Oct. 25…Vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 31, started and recorded four tackles (three solo) with one stop for loss…Rotated at WLB and saw time on special teams, recorded two tackles (one solo) with one tackle for loss and recorded two assisted special teams stops, vs. Atlanta, Nov. 7…At Tennessee, Nov. 14, started and saw time on special teams and recorded two tackles (one solo)…Rotated at WLB and special teams and recorded a solo tackle, at Philadelphia, Nov. 21…Vs. Buffalo, Nov. 25, rotated at WLB and saw time on special teams and finished with three tackles (one solo)…Started and saw time on special teams and finished with three tackles (one solo) with one stop for loss, vs. Dallas, Dec. 2...At N.Y. Jets, Dec. 12, Inactive (Elbow)…Rotated in at WLB and saw time on special teams and finished with one solo tackle and one special teams stop, at Tampa Bay, Dec. 19…Vs. Miami. Dec. 27, Started and led the Saints defense with ten tackles in the contest…Rotated in at WLB and appeared on special teams and finished with two tackles (one solo), vs. Carolina, 1/2/22...At Atlanta, 1/9/22, rotated in at WLB and appeared on special teams.

COLLEGE – As a senior, voted by Big Ten coaches as first-team All-Conference and also was a Butkus Award semifinalist, starting all eight games he appeared in during an abbreviated Big Ten season, recording 54 tackles (28 solo), 2.5 stops for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles and one pass defense as the Buckeyes reached the College Football Playoff championship game…As a junior, started all 14 games for College Football Playoff semifinalists and was ranked second on the Buckeyes with 64 tackles (39 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss for minus 11 yards, three passes defensed and two fumble recoveries, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten…As a sophomore, started 13 of 14 games for the Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion Buckeyes, recording 58 tackles (38 solo), a career-high 7.5 stops for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and seven passes defensed…Lettered as a true freshman for the Buckeyes, playing in 11 games and contributing nine tackles, most coming on special teams…Real estate and urban analysis major and was three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.

PERSONAL – Rivals, 247Sports and Scout four-star prospect as a standout OLB at Indianapolis Cathedral (Ind.) HS…Ranked among the Top 300 players nationally by both Scout and 247Sports and among the Top 20 outside linebackers…Was a first-team Associated Press Class 6A all-state pick as a senior for a team that went 7-5 and advanced to the regional finals…Missed three games due to injury, but recorded 64 tackles, including 17 for loss and eight sacks…Finished third for Indianapolis Star Mr. Football honors…Earned state's top linebacker award by Indianapolis Star…Rated No. 1 OLB in Midwest by Scout and PrepStar all-Midwest region honoree…Father, Greg, starred in football and baseball at DePauw University, is in its Athletics Hall of Fame and played two years in the NFL with the Jets and Eagles and now has an orthodontist practice in Indianapolis…Older brother, Dan, played football at Harvard.