Edge Rusher Highlighted As A Major Need For New Orleans Saints

Which of the Saints many needs are the biggest this offseason? Here is one thought.

New Orleans Saints postseason hopes were ended in the late grouping of games on the final day of the 2023-24 regular season. The Saints missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year despite a 9-8 record and winning four of their last five games. 

On one hand, the Saints were a missed field goal, a dropped touchdown pass, four missed scoring opportunities in the red zone in one game, and embarrassingly abysmal starts in three other contests from being a team contending for the NFC's Number One seed. Or, this could instead be viewed as an aging and underachieving squad with a huge list of needs going into this offseason. 

Earlier this week, NFL.com writer Kevin Patra outlined one crucial move that he believed every NFL team should make this offseason. Here's what Patra wrote about the Saints. 

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There might not be a more depressing team heading into the 2024 offseason. On paper, the Saints should have contended in 2023. Instead, they came up small. Portions of the locker room and coaching staff seemed to be at odds all campaign -- highlighted by the fake kneel to end the season. I'd suggest it's a good time to jettison some aging players -- perhaps including Alvin Kamara, who seems disenchanted with leadership. But doing that barely helps the cap situation anyway. Head coach Dennis Allen also desperately needs to win to keep his job beyond 2024, so I don't see New Orleans making any drastic rebuilding moves. The Saints will do what they do: Restructure a bunch of contracts for aging veterans and convince themselves they can win a soft NFC South division.

If New Orleans is to finally turn the corner under Allen, though, they must get better defensive production off the edge. Cam Jordan is an all-timer and will be in the Ring of Honor when he hangs 'em up. But the 34-year-old can't be counted on as a primary every-down source of pressure going into Year 14.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) takes a hit from New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans had only 34 sacks last season, fourth fewest total in the league. Just 16 of those came from their defensive ends and edge rushers, who also accounted for only 25 of the team's 70 tackles for loss.

Cam Jordan, a potential Hall of Famer, dealt with various injuries and had the worst season of his career. Jordan, who turns 35 in July, can still be a productive performer but probably not as an every down player.

Fifth-year DE Carl Granderson is coming off a career-best campaign. Granderson had 8.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, and 28 pressures to lead the Saints in all four categories. The team wisely signed him to a contract extension during the year, but they need more from the position. 

New Orleans spent a first-round choice on DE Payton Turner in 2021 and a second-round pick on DE Isaiah Foskey last year. Each have been significantly outperformed by a former undrafted player (Granderson) and Tanoh Kpassagnon, who attracted little other interest when the Saints signed him as a free agent three years ago.

Turner has played in only 15 of a possible 51 games since being drafted. He's flashed potential, but has just three sacks, 13 pressures, and eight tackles for loss in those 15 contests. Foskey, who also had injury issues, appeared in only 10 games as a rookie and contributed just nine total tackles with none for loss and no sacks or pressures. 

With their salary cap situation, it will be difficult for the Saints to make a major splash in free agency. Edge rushers in their prime often command astronomical salaries, if they even make it to the free agent market. Already saddled with two high draft picks but an aging Jordan up front, the Saints may again be forced to address the position early in the draft.

Washington State Cougars running back Nakia Watson (25) is brought down by UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Carl Jones Jr. (4) and defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15). Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans holds the 14th overall selection in the first round of this spring's draft. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com projects that the Saints will draft UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu in his first mock draft. Other edge rushers like Jared Verse of Florida State, Alabama's Dallas Turner, and Chop Robinson of Penn State are first-round prospects that also may be available. 

New Orleans has other major needs also. Their offensive line is a major liability at both tackle and guard. Linebacker, safety, and tight end also are other positions that need addressed. 

Perhaps the Saints roll the dice and gamble that Payton Turner and/or Isaiah Foskey finally live up to expectations and Cam Jordan can rebound for another great season. One thing is certain: The New Orleans Saints need a much better performance from their defensive ends in 2024.