2 Defensive End Prospects the Saints Could Target in Day 2
New Orleans Saints DE Cameron Jordan is heading into his 13th year and will turn 34 this offseason. While Jordan is still playing at a high level, there are other questions throughout the team’s defensive end unit.
Marcus Davenport departed this offseason after the most disappointing year of his career. Carl Granderson and Tanoh Kpassagnon are both solid, but aren't considered Pro Bowl-level players. Payton Turner, a 2021 first-round pick, has done next to nothing in his first two years.
Many expect New Orleans to draft a defensive end with an early round selection. Notre Dame's Isaiah Foskey, Myles Murphy of Clemson, Northwestern's Adetomiwa Adebawore, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah of Kansas State are outstanding players who could be available in the late first or early second round.
However, the interior of the defensive line also needs addressed as well as a few other glaring needs. If the Saints don't take a DE in the first round, here are two talented ends that should be available in Day 2.
DE - Isaiah McGuire
Missouri (Sr.)
6'4" 268-Lbs.
South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) is sacked by Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire (9). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
McGuire saw little action as a freshman in 2019, but contributed 12 pressures and three sacks as a rotational player in 2020. In 2021, he'd have a team-high six sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and was credited with 37 pressures.
The Tigers were again led by McGuire's 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2022. He exhibited good speed at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.76 40 time), with his 36.5" vertical jump ranking near the top of all participating ends.
McGuire wasn't overly impressive against the run in college. He was too often knocked off the point of attack or overwhelmed on off-tackle plays. While he has the athleticism for lateral pursuit, he'd often take the wrong angle and take himself out of a play. He'll also need to improve at disengaging from blocks, especially when responding to a play outside the numbers.
Often too reliant on a bull rushers, McGuire will have to expand his moves as a pass rusher, especially counter moves. Mobile quarterbacks can give him fits along the edge. He'll have to show better anticipation to improve in this area.
McGuire has an impressive combination of power and speed. He already shows the natural bend and burst off the edge of a seasoned pro. Converts first-step power into an immediate advantage against blockers, which will be even more fearsome once he develops a spin or swim move.
Explosive off the snap, McGuire creates a lot of penetration and disruption in opposing backfields. His natural power makes his bull rush moves difficult to contain, but he has the frame to add even more bulk without sacrificing agility.
Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire (9) tackles Auburn Tigers running back Tank Bigsby (4). Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Isaiah McGuire will likely be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. He'll have to improve his run defense and consistency as a pass rusher, but has the natural traits to develop into a starter at end. To start his career, he should be a valuable addition as a situational pass rusher.
McGuire was a three-year contributor who improved each season. Another intriguing Day 2 prospect is much more raw, but has rare athletic ability for the position.
DE - Keion White
Georgia Tech (Sr.)
6'5" 285-Lbs.
Georgia Tech DE Keion White records a sack against Central Florida. Credit: USA TODAY SPORTS
Starting his career as a tight end at Old Dominion, White caught 11 passes for 124 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2018. He'd convert to defensive end in 2019 and record 3.5 sacks while setting a Monarchs school record with 19 tackles for loss.
When Covid canceled Old Dominion's season in the fall of 2020, White transferred to Georgia Tech. Injuries limited him to only four games during the 2021 campaign. He rebounded with force in 2022, leading the Yellow Jackets with 7.5 sacks and 14 stops for loss.
White turned in a blazing 4.65 in the 40 at his Pro Day, which would have been a position record at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he turned in an impressive 34" vertical jump.
Still raw, White will have to refine his game before he's a consistent factor against NFL offenses. He struggles to read opposing blocking alignments. As a result can be caught out of position against the run or nullified as a pass rusher.
White attacks with a high pad level that allows blockers to get a leverage advantage against him. He's slow to disengage and get in pursuit and takes poor angles to the ball carrier. He lacks a variety of pass rush moves and counters when his initial attack is thwarted, also partially due to inexperience.
A good football IQ allows White to make adjustments to an opponent during a game and gives him the upside for rapid development. He'll have the athletic advantage against nearly every blocker he'll face. He has a non-stop motor against the run and pass that overcomes some of his lack of experience.
An explosive player at the snap with formidable power to match, White also has great flexibility around the edge and a tenacious close to the ball. He also has the strength and ability to sift through traffic to make a play, an area where inexperienced players usually struggle. White's size, power and burst could also allow him to move inside on some passing situations.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive lineman Keion White (6) pressures Pitt Panthers quarterback Kedon Slovis (right). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans has been burned by taking raw prospects in the early rounds. Turner, LB Stephone Anthony, and to some extent Davenport are some recent examples.
Keion White is a Boom-or-Bust project, but could slip to the mid or late part of Day 2 because of that inexperience. If he does slide and with Cam Jordan still around for tutelage, White could be a disruptive addition with terrific upside.
