The New Orleans Saints protection ranked thirtieth within the NFL final season in yards allowed and nineteenth in scoring. The line of defense solely had three gamers get greater than 5 sacks, and none who received over 7.5, which is why the place group is seen by many because the Saints greatest want going into the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Saints had little or no flip over on the line of defense this offseason, as Chase Younger was re-signed to a three-year contract, and Cam Jordan introduced that he’s coming again for one more 12 months. On high of those strikes, defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders each survived being cap casualties and stay below contract for yet one more 12 months. Probably the most notable departure was former first spherical decide Payton Turner, who signed with Dallas Cowboys after 4 harm riddled seasons in New Orleans.
Bryan Bresee led the staff with 7.5 sacks, practically doubling his output in his rookie season. His improvement was a vivid spot for the Saints in 2024, and if he can take one other step ahead in 2025, he might rise to turn out to be a Pro Bowl caliber participant who can anchor the center of the Saints line of defense for the foreseeable future.
Carl Granderson adopted up his 8.5 sack season in 2023 with simply 5.5 in 2024, however did lead the staff in TFLs with 9, and led all defensive linemen with 61 whole tackles. Granderson remains to be a stable piece who is comparatively younger, and I count on his sack numbers to enhance this 12 months.
Through the offseason, the Saints traded for DT Davon Godchaux from the New England Patriots. Godchaux has not missed a sport over the past 4 years and is a really succesful run defender who ought to match properly into the Saints rotation. Within the draft, the Saints have many choices in the event that they elect to go line of defense early. The high-end guys like Abdul Carter and Mason Graham will in all probability be out of attain at #9, however the Saints may look to take a participant like edge rushers Jalon Walker or Mykel Williams out of Georgia at 9, or commerce again for a participant like Walter Nolan. Walker and Williams each have large upside given their athleticism, whereas Nolan might be the product with the upper flooring however decrease ceiling. Within the later rounds, don’t be shocked in the event that they selected a participant similar to Oregon’s Jordan Burch or Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart on day 2.
Do you assume the Saints ought to take a defensive lineman with their first decide within the draft or do you assume they need to attempt to discover a sleeper within the later rounds?
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