Saints Carl Granderson Remains Underrated Defensive Contributor

Even with the offseason additions to their defensive line, Carl Granderson will still be a vital part of the rotation up front for New Orleans.

The New Orleans Saints used a second-round draft choice on Notre Dame DE Isaiah Foskey. It marked the fourth time in the last seven years that the Saints have spent a third round pick or higher on a defensive end. 

The highest of those picks, Marcus Davenport, was the 14th overall selection in 2018. He showed flashes over five years but was never a consistent difference maker before departing this offseason. Payton Turner, the 28th overall choice in 2021, has done absolutely nothing in his two seasons. Trey Hendrickson (3rd round, 2017) had a breakout year in 2020 before departing for huge free-agent money. 

Entering his 13th season, 34-year-old DE Cam Jordan is still playing at a tremendous level. Foskey is the team's latest attempt to find a disruptive complement to Jordan at the other edge. 

Another defensive end that the Saints have brought in over this same six-year span wasn't as heralded as the high round picks. However, he's arguably been the team’s most consistent end outside of Jordan. 

DE - Carl Granderson 

New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) reacts to making a tackle against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

Despite 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss in his last two years at the University of Wyoming, legal issues causes Granderson to slip completely out of the 2019 NFL Draft. New Orleans still took a chance on him, even though Granderson's legal consequences caused him to miss half of his rookie year. 

Since that mishap during his senior year of college, Granderson has been an upstanding citizen and model teammate. He's also been a consistently productive member of the Saints defensive line rotation from his rookie season. Once activated for the last eight games of 2019, Granderson had a sack, three pressures, and two tackles for loss in just 115 defensive snaps.

Granderson earned more playing time with a full year in 2020. Appearing in 291 defensive snaps, 30% of the unit's total for the year, he'd gather 5 sacks and 11 pressures along with 3 tackles for loss. Granderson saw action in 45% of the defensive plays (448 snaps) in 2021. His sacks (3) were slightly down, but his 16 QB pressures were third on the team while his tackles for loss (5) and total stops (25) both increased. 

The Saints ranked a lowly 24th against the run in 2022. Their 48 sacks were the fourth-best in the NFL, but they ranked near the bottom of the league in hurries and pressures. 

The entire New Orleans defensive line played below expectations in 2022. Jordan, while still effective, was slightly down statistically. The defensive tackles were often blown off the ball and had zero impact as pass rushers. Davenport and Turner were nonexistent, causing teams to double-team Jordan on nearly every snap.

Granderson outplayed former Number 1 picks Davenport and Turner all season. His 5.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss were both a career-high. Five of those sacks, along with 8 of his 9 QB hits and 6 tackles for loss, came over the last eight games. Granderson played far more snaps than the underachieving Davenport over that stretch as he finished with a career-high 479 defensive snaps. 

At 6'5" and 261-Lbs., Granderson is a lengthy player with long arms and underrated strength. His run defense has improved exponentially over each of his four seasons. He also has the length, burst, and bend around the edge to be an effective pass rusher.

Granderson and fellow DE Tanoh Kpassagnon are both good all-around players that could start for many teams. The Saints were confident enough in each that they made no attempt to re-sign Davenport or pursue another edge rusher in free agency. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is tackled by New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96). Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY

Carl Granderson has had a more consistent career (as a Saint) than any of the defensive ends drafted by New Orleans since selecting Cam Jordan in 2011. The explosive and promising Foskey will have the latest opportunity to be a star complement to Jordan. Playing time won't come easily against Granderson and Kpassagnon, who have both been underrated defensive contributors. 

The 26-year-old Granderson didn't have an ideal arrival into the NFL and may never be a perennial Pro Bowler. However, don't discount his importance to the New Orleans defense, against either the run or the pass. Even if Foskey doesn't develop quickly, Granderson's presence gives the position outstanding starting-quality depth.