Saints Rookie Isaiah Foskey Showing Promise

After a slow start, Saints rookie DE Isaiah Foskey is showing exciting promise for the regular season.

New Orleans Saints rookie DE Isaiah Foskey is preparing for his NFL regular season debut with his teammates on September 10th against the Tennessee Titans. A second-round pick out of Notre Dame, Foskey was the 40th overall selection. He was the third edge rusher drafted by the Saints in the first or second rounds in the last six years.

Over his last three years with the Fighting Irish, Foskey had 25.5 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss. In 2022, he recorded 11 sacks and 14 stops for loss.

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter evaluated one rookie from each team in last weekend's final round of preseason games. Reuter's choice for New Orleans was Foskey, who faced off against the Houston Texans. Here's how he graded Foskey for his performance against Houston. 

Aug 1, 2023; New Orleans Saints defensive ends Isaiah Foskey and Payton Turner (98) during training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Isaiah Foskey

DE - New Orleans Saints

The Saints' second-round pick entered their 17-13 loss to the Texans on the first series as a third-down pass-rush specialist. He played most of the final three-plus quarters (73.8 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in the game, per Next Gen Stats), matching up against Texans rookie Tyler Beach. Foskey stood his ground in the run game when matched up one-on-one and adeptly moved down the line on stretch plays, but he struggled to free himself from blocks to make a play. On a first-down run early in the second quarter, he was driven to the ground three yards downfield by a double team when playing 5-technique. But on the next snap, Foskey was back outside, reading a screen and hustling to the ball on second down before swiping past Beach on third down to sack Davis Mills. He didn't show complementary pass-rush moves or the ability to shed his man the rest of the contest, leading to a quiet second half.

Reuter's Grade = C-

(Rookie DT Bryan Bresee was given a B by Reuter the previous week against the Chargers)

Foskey showed noticeable progress over all three preseason outings. Against Kansas City in the opener, he was constantly stood up at the point of attack and was unable to disengage from blocks. He did not register a single tackle or pressure. 

Foskey looked far more decisive and comfortable in the second preseason contest against the Chargers. He still recorded just one tackle, but played far better against the run and was in on two QB pressures. 

The Houston game was Foskey's best showing yet. He was credited for a sack, but was in on three other pressures. He'll still need to hold his ground better against the run, as pointed out by Reuter. However, he displayed his athleticism and play recognition several times by chasing down the ball.

Saints News Network’s John Hendrix caught up with Foskey in the locker room following Tuesday’s practice. One of the things he pointed out was the confidence and how good he felt. Foskey told Hendrix early on his legs were getting a little more sore than normal and it was a big adjustment, but he feels really good physically and about how things are progressing. His excitement level is way above a 10.

Saints rookie defensive end Isaiah Foskey (55). Credit: New Orleans Saints 

Isaiah Foskey clearly still has some work to do to be a consistent playmaker for the Saints up front. At 6'5" and 265-Lbs., he's flashed the tremendous athleticism and underrated strength that caused New Orleans to draft him.

Foskey will be given some time to develop. New Orleans still has future Hall of Famer Cam Jordan at one end. He's complemented by underrated defenders Carl Granderson and Tanoh Kpassagnon on the other side.

Payton Turner, a 2021 first-round choice, was consistently disruptive throughout training camp after two disappointing seasons. If the light has finally come on for Turner and Foskey can show consistent progress, then the Saints will have a deep and lethal edge rotation in 2023.