Saints 2022 Position Grades: Defensive End

A talented New Orleans crew of defensive ends were key to much of the unit's success, but also saw a drop in production during 2022.

The New Orleans Saints defensive ends were considered one of the NFL's deepest and most talented units entering 2022. Led by star DE Cameron Jordan, a potential future Hall of Famer, the position contributed 29.5 sacks, 57 QB hits, and 34 tackles for loss on a top-ranked defense in 2021.

Even more was expected from the position coming into this year. Even at 33 years old, Jordan was still among the best in the league. Fifth-year DE Marcus Davenport was expected to finally have a breakout campaign after a dominant stretch to end 2021 and entering a contract year. Payton Turner, a 2021 first-round pick, looked to make a big contribution after an injury-plagued rookie campaign. Depth was still strong with Carl Granderson and Tanoh Kpassagnon. 

Would the New Orleans defensive ends make the same kind of impact in 2022?

Saints DE Grade

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

Cam Jordan continued to excel in his 12th NFL season, all as a Saint. However, Jordan's statistical production would be one of the lowest since his rookie year. He still finished with 8.5 sacks and 17 pressures, both team-highs, but it was just the second time in the last six seasons that he didn't finish with double-digit sacks. 

Jordan also remains one of the league's best run defenders at the position. He had a team-high 13 tackles for loss, and his 66 total tackles were the second most of his career. Despite constant double teams, he was still a force against the run and pass.

With three sacks against the Eagles in Week 17, Jordan passed Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson's official total as the franchise's all-time sack leader. He carries a high cap number into 2023, but should be safe from becoming among the cap casualties.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is pressured by New Orleans Saints defensive ends Cameron Jordan (94) and Marcus Davenport (92). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY

Fifth-year pro Marcus Davenport finished 2021 on a tear with 8 sacks and 17 pressures over his last eight games of the year. He was expected to finally show why the Saints traded up to draft him with the 14th overall pick in 2018.

Instead, Davenport put out the worst statistical production of his career. He had 14 pressures, but only a half sack and two tackles for loss among 29 total stops. The often injured Davenport appeared in a career-high 15 contests but played just 50% of the defensive snaps, the fewest of his five-year tenure. 

An incredible athlete with prototype size at 6'6" and 266-Lbs., the 26-year-old Davenport should command a big contract on the free agent market. It won't be with New Orleans. He just hasn't been able to be a finisher or capitalize on his vast physical potential. 

Another top pick, 2021 first-rounder Payton Turner, is showing those same tendencies early in his career. After missing 12 games as a rookie, Turner was active in just eight contests in 2022 and appeared in 32% of the team’s defensive snaps. 

The 25-year-old Turner has ideal measurables and has flashed potential. He had 2 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and four pressures in just 171 snaps last year. He'll need to take a big jump in 2023.

Dec 12, 2021; New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) sacks New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2). Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY

Undrafted fourth-year DE Carl Granderson outplayed Davenport and Turner even when they were healthy, taking snaps from both former Day 1 picks. The 26-year-old end had a career year in 2022.

Granderson recorded 5.5 sacks, 13 pressures, and 9 tackles for loss among his 53 total stops. He also improved his run defense, allowing him to be an effective every down complement to Jordan along the edge. 

Granderson is a lengthy athlete at 6'5" and 261-Lbs. His long arms, burst past blockers, and underrated strength allows him to be disruptive to opposing quarterbacks. He's most effective as a rotational player, but has proven to be a solid starter.

Tanoh Kpassagnon, a five-year pro, continued to be an underrated part of the defensive front. His second year with New Orleans wasn't quite as productive as his first--he had four sacks and 11 pressures in 2021.

In 2022, Kpassagnon appeared in 15 games and recorded 2 sacks, 8 pressures, and 3 tackles for loss. He's an imposing presence at 6'7" and 289-Lbs. that has the versatility to play inside in some alignments.

An unrestricted free agent, Kpassagnon could be brought back at a reasonable price. He's solid against the run, an adequate pass rusher, and can step in as a spot starter at tackle or along the edge. 

San Francisco 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey (69) against New Orleans Saints defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (90). Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY

The Saints were fourth in the NFL with 48 sacks this season and ranked second in pass defense. Just 18.5, along with 39 QB hits and 32 tackles for loss, came from their defensive ends. It was a significant drop in their 2021 production. 

New Orleans also ranked a lowly 24th against the run. Opponents were often able to run up inside of the Saints defensive ends because of the poor performance of their defensive tackles. Lack of interior pressure also affected how efficient the edge rush was, often allowing opposing quarterbacks to step up away from outside pressure. 

Despite a significant drop in production, New Orleans defensive ends were one of the better units on the team. However, too often they failed to come up with game-changing plays to reverse the fortune of a disappointing year. This talented crew faces the loss of Davenport, free agency of Kpassagnon, and questions about Turner's ability and whether to retain Jordan. 

The position was still a key to much of the success that New Orleans did have defensively in 2022.

Saints DE Grade = B-

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