This offseason, the New Orleans Saints must strengthen their pass rush. The Saints’ pass defense was ranked in the top 10 last season, but they only managed 34 sacks and 76 quarterback hits. New Orleans produced its fewest sacks since thirty in 2016, and only three teams had fewer than them.
The fact that the Saints edge rushers only had 16 sacks and 45 quarterback hits is the most disheartening. This is true even though DE Carl Granderson had a career-best season with 20 QB hits and 8.5 sacks. If you remove the three sacks that DE Tanoh Kpassagnon recorded in a Week 15 victory over the Giants, these figures appear considerably worse. Since his debut year in 2011, franchise legend Cameron Jordan’s statistical output has been at its lowest. Jordan got only two sacks and six QB hits due to persistent injuries. Jordan, who turns 35 in July, is still a valuable player, but after 13 seasons, he might not be an every-down danger. In an effort to improve their pass rush, the Saints have invested three first- or second-round draft selections on edge rushers in the last six years. Among the three, none have had any influence. A first-round selection in 2018, Marcus Davenport was a major disappointment and is no longer with the squad. Due to injuries, 2021 first-round pick Payton Turner has only participated in 15 of a possible 51 games; in three seasons, he has only recorded three sacks and eight quarterback hits. Although Isaiah Foskey was selected in the second round of the previous draft, it’s far too soon to write off his rookie season performance. Nov. 20, 2022: During the New Orleans Saints’ game against the Los Angeles Rams, defensive end Payton Turner (98) is taken off the field due to an injury. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports’ Chuck Cook Several analysts think the Saints will again target the position early in this year’s draft because of those unsuccessful draft selections. Edge rushers won’t have many options for a New Orleans squad that is trying to fit under the salary cap before free agency begins. Think about how uncommon it is for an elite edge rusher to become available. Those that do frequently earn enormous salaries. Josh Allen of Jacksonville, Danielle Hunter of Minnesota, and Brian Burns of the Panthers are game changers who can completely demolish the offenses of their opponents. They will receive elite contracts from someone even if their respective teams choose not to franchise tag them. At this position, there is one New Orleans free agent that could be worth a look. The Saints and other teams might want to give this former first-round choice some consideration, according to ESPN writer Aaron Schatz. Chase Young, De Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (right),, gets pushed aside by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92). Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Darren Yamashita Young was selected by Washington as the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. With an outstanding first season that included 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and 10 tackles for loss, he was named the Defensive First of the Year and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl. For the next two years, Young was limited to playing in just 12 out of 34 games due to injuries. While some openly questioned his effort, he only managed 1.5 sacks, five QB hits, and three tackles for loss. In 2023, Young would respond to those critiques with a powerful showing. He would record five sacks, nine quarterback hits, and six tackles for loss in his first seven games with Washington. In a mid-season fire sale, Washington traded away both Young and DE Montez Sweat. After being traded, Young joined the San Francisco 49ers, who went on to win the NFL, and he became an essential member of their edge rotation. Including postseason games, Young’s stats for the 49ers were 3.5 sacks, 8 QB hits, and 10 pressures in 12 games. Before entering free agency, Chase Young was a mystery. At 6’5″ and 264 pounds, he is a good size and an amazing athlete. At just 25 years old next month, he should only be beginning to realize the full extent of his potential, having demonstrated that he possesses all the necessary skills to be a constant disruptive force. Young hasn’t, however, consistently demonstrated that he is a dominant player. That’s what might deter teams from making a large contract offer. In Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is under pressure from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92). Stephen R. Sylvanie of USA TODAY Sports is required to be credited. If Young is agreeable, Aaron Schatz proposed a possible path that the Saints or other teams could take. Perhaps Young should sign a one-year prove-it contract. In 2021 and 2022, he struggled to maintain his health, and in 2023, although he recorded 7.5 sacks, his performance declined following his trade to San Francisco in the middle of the season. With a 19.3% pass rush win rate off the edge, Young was ranked fifteenth among edge rushers; however, that number dropped from 24.8% while he was with Washington to just 12.9% with San Francisco (through the playoffs). Young could play opposite Cameron Jordan for New Orleans on a one-year contract and show that he still possesses all the skillss that gave him the No. 2 overall choice in 2020. This is the situation in which a player such as Chase Young could be signed by the Saints. For Young, a one-year “prove it” agreement might be advantageous as well. If that were the case, a strong 2024 season would surely position him for a high-paying long-term contract. In New Orleans, Chase Young would have a chance for that big contract season. The Saints are in severe need of a disruptive player,, with Turner frequently out, Foskey unproven, and Jordan nearing the end of his career. Young might position himself to advance both his career and the New Orleans defense if he is receptive to the concept.
