I disagree. There is little, if any, dropoff between Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey. There is, however, a dropoff of monumental proportions between Dwight Freeney and Raheem Brock.
The dropoff you're looking for isn't always between #1 and #2.
It's the fact that the regular nickel back now has to start and go up against the #2, your dime moves up to nickel and your 5th best CB has to be on the field a lot in dime coverage. Obviously he is a 5th CB for a reason and doesn't get to see the field hardly at all.
Like the Saints for instance lose a lot when we have to go to Jenkins in the nickel if one of our top 3 corners were injured. He is just not nearly as good as Gay is.
It's the trickle down effect I am speaking of. And with the Saints, we have the uniqueness of no real discernable dropoff from #1 receiver to #4, and add to the fact we put both our TEs out wide and are versatile that way.
It's simply a bigger deal against this talented Saints offense to go up against a QB with that many good weapons in the WR department and the way he distributes to the open man is uncanny.