Saints Draft Outlook: Defensive End

It wouldn't be surprising to see the Saints add another pass-rusher in the draft, but they have to hit big on the pick this time.

Author:
John Hendrix
Updated:
Apr 24, 2023 9:34 AM EDT
Original:
Apr 22, 2023

In this story:

New Orleans Saints

By this time next week, we'll know what the Saints did in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft and have plenty to talk about. Until then, we'll keep on previewing each position on the roster and help determine whether or not drafting would be smart. We're on to the defensive side of the ball after looking at the offense, starting with the edge rushers.

Current Depth Chart: Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Payton Turner, Jabari Zuniga

Draft Prospect Outlook

Day 1 Options: Myles Murphy (Clemson), Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech), Lukas Van Ness (Iowa)
Day 2 Options: Will McDonald IV (Iowa State), Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Kansas State), Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame), Keion White (Georgia Tech), Byron Young (Tennessee), Derick Hall (Auburn), BJ Ojulari (LSU), BJ Thompson (Stephen F. Austin), Zach Harrison (Ohio State), K.J. Henry (Clemson)
Day 3 Options: YaYa Diaby (Louisville), Colby Wooden (Auburn), Andre Jones (UL-Lafayette), Jose Ramirez (Eastern Michigan), Thomas Incoom (Eastern Michigan), Lonnie Phelps (Kansas)
Priority UDFAs: Truman Jones (Harvard), Brock Martin (Oklahoma State), T.K. McLendon Jr. (Eastern Kentucky), Jordan Ferguson (Middle Tennessee), Jamal Hines (Toledo), Andrew Farmer (Lane)

THE CASE FOR DRAFTING: There's plenty of reasons why the Saints could and would pursue a pass-rusher in this draft. For starters, a lot is riding on Payton Turner. Needless to say, he's facing a crucial year going into 2023. The biggest issue with him has been the lack of availability, which is one of the most important traits for any player. He's said he's ready to prove why New Orleans drafted him, but another insurance policy should be in play.

Saints Defensive End Draft History Since 2017

2021 - Payton Turner, Houston (1st Round)
2018 - Marcus Davenport, UTSA (1st Round)
2017 - Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic (3rd Round)
2017 - Al-Quadin Muhammad, Miami (6th Round)

You could also start looking across the team and begin to talk about the age of the roster. As good as Cam Jordan has been, would this be a year to take a look at trying to find a replacement? Jordan, who turns 34 in July, wants to finish his career with the Saints, and he hasn't really showed many signs of slowing down. Getting him another impactful partner in crime in the rotation would be smart.

There's a lot to like about Carl Granderson this season. Towards the end of the year, he was taking snaps away from Marcus Davenport and has been playing a pretty high level. However, he's in a contract year, so it further adds to a reason to check out the draft. Whoever the Saints end up drafting will fit Dennis Allen's prototypes for the position, wanting to get size and strength for the "big man's game".

THE CASE FOR NOT DRAFTING: There's not many arguments to be made for the Saints not taking an edge guy in this draft, but the later rounds seems to provide a lot more ups Drafting high would be tough to see. The last two first-rounders are proof of why that would be met with skepticism. If you're going to take anyone at picks No. 29 and 40, then they have to nail this one.

Like many of the cases for not drafting, the undrafted pool, but more specifically free agency would be the only other way to add. There's plenty of edge players that could come in and be part of the rotation after the draft, and it wouldn't be surprising to see New Orleans use some of their cap space to get someone on a one-year deal. Yannick Ngakoue, Justin Houston, and Frank Clark might be a few options to consider. There's also Tanoh Kpassagnon, who the team re-signed to a two-year deal in the offseason. He should have a larger role going forward.

Overall, affecting the quarterback will always be important. The Saints can bring so many creative looks to bring pressure. Defensive tackle is absolutely a more pressing need right now, and they'll add a couple of edge guys to the roster at some point over the next couple of months. Whether that's in the draft or post-draft remains to be seen. Todd Grantham will have big shoes to fill replacing Ryan Nielsen, and it'll be interesting to see what his impact will be on the defensive line.