Saints Could Add Veteran DE

Here is one move that a national publication suggests that New Orleans makes before the start of training camp next month.

Pro Football Focus outlined one move - a signing, trade, or extension - that every NFL team should make before the start of 2023 training camps. In an article for PFF on June 28, writer Brad Spielberger outlined his belief for the New Orleans Saints. 

Spielberger suggests that the Saints should sign free-agent DE Jadeveon Clowney, citing these as the reasons why. 

New Orleans Saints: 

SIGN EDGE JADEVEON CLOWNEY

The Saints came close to adding Clowney a few years ago and circle back here to add a veteran opposite Cameron Jordan amid a lot of youth filling up the rest of the defensive line. The Saints used the No. 40 overall selection on Notre Dame edge defender Isaiah Foskey but still could stand to improve on the edge, with not much beyond veteran Jordan and the underrated Carl Granderson.

Clowney is coming off a down year in the pass-rushing department, totaling only 29 pressures and two sacks, but a change of scenery could allow him to thrive again, similar to what happened in his first year in Cleveland. Clowney is one of the best run-defending edges in the NFL over the past decade and should benefit from a lot of talent around him.

Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) in action against the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

With All Due Respect: NO

(Right Position/Wrong Player?)

After spurning the Saints a few years ago, Clowney opted for slightly more money elsewhere. New Orleans rarely circles back to pursue a player in such situations. Since then, it can be argued that he's been a declining player.

The first overall choice in the 2014 NFL Draft out of South Carolina, Clowney has played for four different teams. Over his nine-year career, he has 43 sacks, 109 QB hits, 90 tackles for loss, and has four defensive touchdowns. He had only two sacks and four tackles for loss in 12 games for the Cleveland Browns last season. 

Clowney, now 30, is a tremendous athlete and solid run defender. However, both his work ethic and effort have been questioned since college. These are two things that wouldn't be tolerated in the Saints locker room. At 6'5" and 255-Lbs., Clowney is also a little leaner than the prototype that the Saints prefer along the edge. 

A better option for New Orleans at defensive end would be Yannick Ngakoue. Like Clowney, Ngakoue has been a mercenary recently, looking for his sixth team in five years. Unlike Clowney, he's remained productive, recording 19.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss the last two seasons. 

A third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Maryland, Ngakoue has 65 sacks, 135 QB hits, and 65 tackles for loss over an eight-year career. Ngakoue, 28, hasn't been as good against the run as Clowney, but is a far more productive pass rusher. 

Both Ngakoue and Clowney have been reported to be seeking higher one-year contracts. Recently signed edge players Frank Clark (Broncos) and Leonard Floyd (Bills) signed for one-year deals worth $7 and $9 million dollars, respectively. 

Oct 31, 2022; Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) is tackled by Cleveland Browns safety John Johnson III (bottom) and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90). Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY

The Saints have the salary cap space currently, but may look to spend it elsewhere rather than on situational rotational players. Granderson, Foskey, and Tanoh Kpassagnon are solid options opposite of Cam Jordan. 

If New Orleans wants more depth at defensive end, there are cheaper options still available. Dawuane Smoot, Robert Quinn, William Gholston, and Jason Pierre-Paul are veteran free agents that would also be solid rotational players.

New Orleans had 48 sacks last season, fourth highest in the NFL. However, the Saints ranked near the bottom of the league in QB pressures. Jordan and Granderson accounted for 15 of the 19.5 sacks from New Orleans defensive ends, a total that must improve significantly. 

The Saints certainly need more disruption from their entire defensive line in 2023. Foskey, first-round DT Bryan Bresee, along with DT free-agent additions Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders are expected to provide just that.

It wouldn't be a shock if New Orleans added another defensive end, but it's doubtful that it would be Clowney. A more likely scenario would be the Saints adding a cheaper veteran and using the extra money to bolster depth at a thinner position like linebacker.