New Orleans Saints Could Look Outside Their Usual Prototype For Explosive Pass Rusher
The New Orleans Saints have a lengthy list of needs to take care of this offseason. Rebuilding an offensive line, both at tackle and guard, is a major priority for new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. A big-bodied pass catcher, either wideout or tight end, is another glaring need.
On defense, off-ball linebacker and safety are two positions that need addressed. However, the lack of a consistent pass rush crippled the Saints most of the year. New Orleans had just 34 sacks last season, fourth fewest in the NFL and their fewest since 30 in 2016. Edge rusher was especially disappointing. It's a position that contributed only 16 sacks, which included 8.5 in a breakout campaign from DE Carl Granderson.
Some of these needs could be addressed in free agency, less than three weeks away. However, the Saints will also have limited cap space. Expect the team to take care of tackle and edge rusher, two higher-priced positions, early in this year's draft.
NFL.com editor Gennaro Filice has New Orleans doing just that in his first mock draft. Here's what Filice projected that the Saints do with their first-round choice, the Number 14 overall pick.
Dallas Turner
Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) forces a fumble by South Florida Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown (17). Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama · Edge · Junior
Cam Jordan reliably carried New Orleans’ pass rush for years, but the soon-to-be 35-year-old just posted his lowest totals in sacks (two) and QB hits (six) since his rookie campaign back in 2011. Turner could test like a freak in Indianapolis and ultimately be long gone by the time the Saints are on the clock in April. But in this exercise, Dennis Allen fills a dire need.
At 6'4" but just 245-Lbs., Turner doesn't fit the usual New Orleans prototype for defensive ends. However, he's an explosive player with terrific athletic traits. Over three years with the Crimson Tide, he had 22.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss. Turner's best year was 2023, when he turned in 10 sacks and 14.5 stops for loss to earn him consensus All-American honors and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Turner has outstanding explosiveness at the snap, gaining him an advantage against larger blockers. His elite change-of-direction and flexibility allows him to set up blockers with counter moves. Against the run, Turner has decent arm length to disengage or slip past blockers to the ball carrier.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy passes under pressure from Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner.
Turner's lack of bulk puts him at a disadvantage against double-teams or larger blockers in head-on engagement. His upper body movement and hand usage must also improve to make up for his lack of size.
The Saints desperately need explosiveness along their edge. Granderson is a serviceable player, but Cam Jordan is on the back end of his career and ends Payton Turner (2021) and Isaiah Foskey (2023) are former high picks that have performed well below expectations.
Turner's Alabama teammate, Will Anderson, has similar traits that earned him the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year award with the Houston Texans. If available, Dallas Turner could make that same type of impact for the New Orleans Saints.
