Saints Defensive Leaders - 2023

The Saints were not an elite defense in 2023, but was strong enough to be the key to several wins.

The New Orleans Saints were expected to have one of the NFL's top defenses coming into 2023. It was a defense that had been among the league's best over the last five years, even with their run defense performing poorly last season. 

Early in 2023, the Saints were carried by that defense. New Orleans held five of their first six opponents to 20 points or less and ranked near the top of the league in most categories. The unit struggled to generate a pass rush most of the year and had breakdowns in their run defense and coverage down the stretch, but finished the season strong. 

2023 Defensive Rankings 

Total Yardage - 13th (327.2)

Points Against - 8th (19.2)

3rd Downs = 4th

Red Zone = 8th

Turnovers Forced - 4th (29)

Passing Yards - 10th (207.3)

Interceptions - 2nd (18)

Sacks = 34

QB Hits = 76

Completion Percentage = 59.7%

Rushing Yards - 22nd (119.9)

Average = 22nd (4.4)

Tackles for Loss = 70

The Saints had some uncharacteristic defensive issues in 2023. Only three teams had fewer than their 34 sacks. Opposing rushers often gashed them on off-tackle plays. The secondary, while mostly stout, gave up more big plays than usual late in the year and were guilty of missed tackles all season. 

Here were the 2023 defensive leaders for New Orleans. 

INTERCEPTIONS 

New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) returns an interception for a touchdown against the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY

• Paulson Adebo (4)

• Tyrann Mathieu (4)

• Alontae Taylor (2)

• Marcus Maye (2)

PASSES BROKEN UP 

New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) intercepts a 2-point conversion pass to Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans (13). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY

• Paulson Adebo (18)

• Alontae Taylor (14)

• Isaac Yiadom (14)

• Tyrann Mathieu (9)

• Marshon Lattimore (8)

Even with elite CB Marshon Lattimore (ankle) missing the last seven games of the year, the Saints boasted perhaps the NFL's best trio of corners. Pro Bowl snub Paulson Adebo had his best year and made an argument for team MVP. Adebo was third in the NFL in passes defensed while allowing just 55% completion percentage and one touchdown when targeted. 

Alontae Taylor certainly had some bumps in the road while adjusting to a primary role in the slot. However, Taylor remained an aggressive defender and recorded the first two interceptions in the final two games. 

Isaac Yiadom was perhaps the team's most pleasant surprise. Yiadom was spectacular as an injury replacement for Adebo early in the year and for Lattimore down the stretch. Despite heavy targets, Yiadom held up well and surrendered an impressive 48.9% completion rate. 

No longer a force in man coverage, veteran Tyrann Mathieu still has tremendous anticipation and expertly baits opposing quarterbacks. Despite injuries, the New Orleans secondary was the best unit on the team throughout the season. 

SACKS

Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) is chased down by New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

• Carl Granderson (8.5)

• Demario Davis (6.5)

• Bryan Bresee (4.5)

• Tanoh Kpassagnon (3.5)

• Nathan Shepherd (3.5)

QB HITS 

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) throws under pressure from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90). © Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

• Carl Granderson (20)

• Demario Davis (11)

• Bryan Bresee (9)

• Tanoh Kpassagnon (9)

• Nathan Shepherd (8)

• Cameron Jordan (6)

TACKLES FOR LOSS 

New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson(96) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackle Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28). © Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

• Carl Granderson (14)

• Demario Davis (12)

• Bryan Bresee (7)

• Alontae Taylor (6)

Even with a breakout year from sixth-year DE Carl Granderson, the Saints had disappointing production from the edge. Future Hall of Famer Cam Jordan had the worst statistical campaign of his legendary career as he dealt with an ankle injury.

Most of Kpassagnon's production came in one game, Payton Turner missed all but two games because of injury, and rookie Isaiah Foskey was a non-factor. Zack Baun was disruptive down the stretch after finally being moved from off-ball linebacker to rush end. As a result, the entire front line was able to create more havoc over the final few games. 

Defensive tackle was a far better position than the previous year. First-round choice Bryan Bresee looks like a future star, adding 13 pressures and deflecting six passes on top of being among team leaders in sacks, QB hits, and tackles for loss. Nathan Shepherd proved to be a solid free-agent addition as a pass rusher and against the run.

Demario Davis had another outstanding year in spite of another Pro Bowl snub. He recorded his seventh straight year with at least 100 tackles, with his elite instincts, play diagnosis, and tenacity keeping the defense at a high level. 

New Orleans may not have been an elite defense in 2023. However, it was a unit that powered the team to a few wins early in the year and kept them in several other games.