Saints Free Agency Focus: Defensive End

New Orleans has talent at defensive end despite the loss of Marcus Davenport. However, the Saints could look to upgrade the position with a free-agent signing instead of through a thin draft class.

Author:
Bob Rose
Updated:
Mar 21, 2023 1:25 PM EDT
Original:
Mar 20, 2023

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New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints came into the 2022-23 season with one of the deepest and most talented defensive end units in the league. Armed with All-Pro Cameron Jordan, 2018 first-round pick Marcus Davenport, 2021 first-round pick Payton Turner, Carl Granderson, and Tanoh Kpassagnon, the Saints defensive ends created havoc the year before. Jordan, Davenport, Granderson, and Kpassagnon combined for 28.5 sacks, 81 pressures, and 32 tackles for loss in 2021.

The position played well for the most part in 2022, but performed slightly below expectations. Statistical production was down, with the ends combining for 18.5 sacks, 52 pressures, and 37 tackles for loss.

Davenport has departed as a free agent. Jordan is still playing at a high level, but will turn 34 this offseason and is entering his 13th year. Turner is on the verge of a major draft bust.

On paper, New Orleans still has talent at this position. However, they may want to bolster it with a free-agent signing or draft choice.

Notable Free Agent DEs

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot (91) pressures Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8). © Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

*age and previous team in parentheses

• Frank Clark (29 - Chiefs)

• Dawuane Smoot (28 - Jaguars)

• Shelby Harris (31 - Seahawks)

• Yannick Ngakoue (27 - Colts)

• William Gholston (31 - Buccaneers)

• Kerry Hyder (31 - 49ers)

• Dante Fowler (28 - Cowboys)

• L.J. Collier (27 - Seahawks)

Clark is one of the biggest names remaining on the market at any position. The Chiefs released him because of an escalating salary and slightly declining production. He's coming off a 2022 with five sacks, 24 pressures, and eight tackles for loss while adding 2.5 sacks during Kansas City's Super Bowl run. It's also worth noting that Clark has had legal issues throughout his career, including currently on probation for a gun charge.

An underrated player on the market, Smoot has 22.5 sacks and 80 pressures in the last four years. He had five sacks, 19 pressures, and six tackles for loss in 2022. Disruptive against quarterbacks, he's a bit inconsistent against the run.

Harris was part of the trade that sent QB Russell Wilson to the Broncos last offseason. A bigger defender (6'2", 290-Lbs.), Harris can play inside or on the edge. After 21.5 sacks, 44 QB hits, and 34 tackles for loss in five years with Denver, his statistics dipped a bit with Seattle.

Ngakoue has played for four teams in the last three years after a standout four seasons with Jacksonville to start his career. He's remained a productive pass rusher, evidenced by 19.5 sacks and 63 pressures the last two seasons.

Dec 19, 2021; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston (92). Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY

The Saints know Gholston well, having faced him twice a year the last 10 seasons. Gholston isn't an elite pass rusher, he has just 19.5 career sacks, but is still effective if overlooked by blockers. He's also a terrific run defender, an area where the Saints struggled in 2022.

Fowler is still a terrific pass rusher (41 career sacks, 68 QB hits) who can be a liability against the run. Undersized for an end, he'd be most effective as a rotational pass rusher.

Hyder and Collier aren't standout pass rushers, though Hyder is the more accomplished of the two. However, both are strong against the run and bring the added versatility of being able to play inside or outside.

Clark is the free-agent name that most Saints fans are clamoring for, and one that has been linked to New Orleans through some national media rumors. However, Smoot and Gholston top the list of other ends that would make excellent additions to the defensive front.

Dec 12, 2021; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55) rushes past offensive tackle Kolton Miller (74). Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

This year’s draft class looks thin at defensive end, according to scouts. Clemson DE Myles Murphy underachieved in college, but has first-round traits and has been linked to New Orleans in some mock drafts. Notre Dame's Isaiah Foskey is an explosive player that could be another early round possibility.

By the end of 2022, Granderson got most of the edge snaps opposite of Cam Jordan, while Kpassagnon returns to provide strong depth. The key might be Payton Turner, who's done little in his first two seasons.

If New Orleans feels confident about Turner's development going into his third year, then the Saints could still have a deep end rotation. If they don't, then we'll see the team look to upgrade through a free agent signing or a draft choice.