An Overview of the New Orleans Saints Defense
On the heels of a poor showing in 2024, the Saints decided to blow up everything and start over. Kellen Moore was hired to run the show, with Brandon Staley coming aboard as defensive coordinator. Staley brought a strong resume, including overseeing some very successful defenses in recent years. Staley also brought a complete overhaul and a scheme change from the 4-3 that the team had run for years to a 3-4.
It generally takes until at least the second year for a defense to complete such a drastic reboot. On paper, it looked like this one could be an even longer transition. The roster Staley inherited was hardly teeming with scheme-versatile players. Surprisingly, and to the credit of players and coaches alike, the Saints made great strides in year one.
The New Orleans defense finished in the top half of the league in nearly every important category. They were 14th in scoring, tied for 15th in turnovers, and their 45 sacks were tied for 10th. The run defense ranked 19th in yards allowed, but only because they faced the third-most carries. The better measuring stick was their fifth-place rank in yards per carry. Likewise, the pass defense ranked 5th in yards allowed but 11th in yards allowed per attempt. If the usual trend continues and this team makes an even bigger jump in year two of the new scheme, we might be looking at an outstanding unit in New Orleans.
Last year's coaching job was particularly impressive because Staley pounded a few square pegs into round holes to get it done. It worked out so well that there was no need to make wholesale personnel changes. The organization drafted nose tackle Christen Miller in the second round. He should contribute as a rookie. They picked up Lorenzo Styles Jr. in the fifth. He should compete for the slot corner/nickel job. Free agency brought edge Tyree Wilson, who could find a rotational role, and Anfernee Jennings, who projects as depth. The only new addition who is sure to start is linebacker Kaden Elliss. He replaces Demario Davis, who turned 100 (in football years) in January.
New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
The most glaring question entering 2025 was how well the edge defenders would make the transition. Most of the elite 3-4 edge guys check in at 250 pounds or under. Their success comes from a combination of speed, agility, and the ability to keep blockers from getting their hands on them as they slip around the corner. Edge defenders in four-man fronts are generally a little bigger. They expect contact on every snap, often initiating it to set up moves. They are generally more physical at the point of attack, but not as fast.
Carl Granderson and Chase Young were the starters under the previous regime. They are both north of 260 pounds and were used to playing from a three-point stance. Edge guys in three-man fronts have additional responsibilities, often including some coverage. Some might remember my apprehension concerning Carl Granderson in particular. That proved to be a good call.
Granderson opened the season like a man with his hair on fire. Through the month of September, he was ED1 with 16 tackles, 4 assists, 4.5 sacks, and 2 batted passes. Then the clock struck midnight. Granderson reached double-digit points in one of the next twelve games, with his next sack coming in Week 18. He will get another shot at making a successful transition, but Granderson could be on a short leash, especially if Tyree Wilson performs well.
It remains to be seen if Granderson can be a long-term solution. Chase Young answered that question with a huge year. At 22-16-10 with 5 turnovers, 4 batted passes, and a score, Young landed at 18 in the final rankings. That's rather impressive considering he missed the first five games with a calf injury. With a little over 11.1 points per game, Young ranked sixth on the season, and he was second in points only to Myles Garrett from week six through the end of the year.
The first five years of Young's career were tumultuous, largely due to injuries, but at least partly due to questionable fits in some of the schemes. He had not given fantasy managers much since his rookie year in 2020 and had never produced more than 7 sacks in a season. It was just one year, so there is some possibility that his breakout will prove to be a career outlier. I believe it was simply a case of him finally finding his happy place.
I like Young's chances of stepping up big again in 2026. The key will be getting him at a value on draft day. Most managers will look at his overall numbers and rank and not consider him a top-ten target. Don't be one of those managers, but be tactical about where you pick him. He will fall further than he should in many instances.
By the time anyone reads this, Cameron Jordan will turn 100 (in football years) as well. That is 37 to us regular folk. There has been talk about his retirement over the last couple of seasons. The Saints were happy he decided against it last year. Jordan started the first five games and was part of a four-man rotation the rest of the way. The former perennial IDP stud brought back memories of his prime, going 32-15-10.5 with 3 turnovers on fewer than 600 plays. It was his first useful fantasy production since 2022. He is near the end of a Hall of Fame career, but he may give us one more hurrah before he goes.
Most of us expected Jordan to move inside to the tackle role. He saw some snaps from that spot, but most often lined up on the edge. He was third in snap count at the position once Young returned and could have the same role this year. If Granderson continues to struggle, it would not be a surprise to see Jordan get starter's snaps. Some leagues still have him designated as a tackle. He could be top-10 at that position.
The wildcard here is Wilson. The Raiders thought enough of him to use a first-round pick in 2023. He failed to live up to expectations over two seasons and was traded to New Orleans. This is a vastly different scheme from what the Raiders ran. A fresh start and a different set of responsibilities might be just what he needs. With the possibility of Jordan retiring after the season and the uncertainty surrounding Granderson's ability to excel in the scheme, Wilson might be auditioning for a big role in the future.
The Saints got strong play from their interior line in 2025, but it didn't translate well to the stat sheet. Nathan Shepherd and Bryan Bresee start at the outside spots, with Davin Godchaux working in the middle. Barring something unexpected happening in camp, this should be the starting trio again. Shepherd came closest to having fantasy value last year. Going 23-24-3 with a forced fumble, he ranked 30th at the position. We shouldn't count on more than that from any of these guys.
Rookie Christen Miller should see work behind Godchaux, with Vernon Broughton, Khristian Boyd, and John Ridgeway III vying for backup snaps at the outside positions.
- Edge Carl Granderson – Let someone else take the chance
- Edge Chase Young – Top five potential that could slide on draft day
- Edge Cameron Jordan – Worth consideration as a second starter
- Edge Tyree Wilson – High upside sleeper
- Edge Anfernee Jennings – Marginal value
- Edge Fadil Diggs – Roster bubble
- Edge Chris Rumph II – No impact expected
- DT Nathan Shepherd – Possible depth in leagues starting two
- DT Bryan Bresee – Marginal impact
- DT Vernon Broughton – No impact
- NT Davon Godchaux – Marginal value at best
- NT Christen Miller – Rookie to keep a dynasty eye on