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Texas Football: 10 best former Longhorns in the NFL

By Andrew Miller

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warmups before the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warmups before the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 27: Kenny Vaccaro #32 of the New Orleans Saints returns a interception during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 27, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 49-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 27: Kenny Vaccaro #32 of the New Orleans Saints returns a interception during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 27, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 49-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Safety. College Career: 2009-2012. 3. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Kenny Vaccaro. 15

Texas has so many good defensive backs in the NFL, that it’s easy to get a player like New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro lost in it all. Vaccaro had one of his best seasons yet in the league last year. That leaves him with a lot of momentum rolling through the 2018 off-season.

In 2017, Vaccaro set a career high in interceptions, returned his first turnover for a touchdown, and tied his career high in pass deflections. Considering Vaccaro played in just 12 games in the regular season last year, that’s incredible that he was able to accomplish all of that. The Saints’ secondary was much improved last season, and Vaccaro was a big reason why.

It’s tough to imagine why so many former Texas defensive backs are overlooked in the NFL, but Vaccaro is just another name to add to that list. That rings especially true since Vaccaro was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. New Orleans invested a lot in bringing Vaccaro into the mix in the defensive backfield.

Similar to that of Malcom Brown with the New England Patriots, Vaccaro was named to the NFL’s All-Rookie Team. That came back during his rookie campaign in 2013. Since then, Vaccaro has dealt with some injury concerns. And, he’s in line to become a free agent this off-season. He might end up signing with the Saints, or he might be donning another team’s uniform for the 2018 season.

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