Fansided

Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
29 of 32
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Demario Davis #56 of the New Orleans Saints reacts during the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Demario Davis #56 of the New Orleans Saints reacts during the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

4. New Orleans Saints

2018 Review: Sean Payton’s club got off to a rough start when it came to the defensive side of the ball. The team gave up 48 points in a Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers and two weeks later, surrendered 37 points in an overtime win at Atlanta. But the Saints’ defense would eventually settle down and play better football. Payton’s squad allowed only 19.2 points per contests in their final 13 regular-season outings. Cameron Jordan (12) and Sheldon Rankins (8) combined for 20 of the club’s 49 sacks. And only the Bears allowed fewer rushing yards per contest.

2019 Key Additions: The defending NFC South champions added experienced depth to this unit via free agency in the form of defensive linemen Malcom Brown (Patriots), Mario Edwards (Giants) and Wes Horton (Panthers). The Saints also signed cornerback Kayvon Webster and used the third day of the draft to add some young talent to the secondary in the form of safeties Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (4-Florida) and Saquan Hampton (6-Rutgers).

Analysis: This defense has come a long way the past two seasons. And if he club can avoid another slow start, especially on this side of the ball, the team in general should enjoy a big year. It will be interesting to see if the Saints can make some strides when it comes to their secondary, which did have its issues at times in ’18. Keep an eye on second-year end Marcus Davenport (4.5 sacks as a rookie), who could become a real force opposite Jordan.

Next: No. 3

Home/NFL Power Rankings