NFL power rankings: Which teams will have the best defense this season?
By Jakob Ashlin
14. New Orleans Saints
- Notable additions: DE Nathan Shepherd, DT Bryan Bresee
- Notable losses: EDGE Marcus Davenport, DT David Onyemata, OLB Kaden Eliss, DT Shy Tuttle
- 2022 scoring defense: 9th
- 2022 yards defense: 5th
Continually in a precarious salary cap situation, the Saints lost four key defensive players in Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, Kaden Eliss, and Shy Tuttle.
Last season, the Saints’ defense was excellent, but it was led by their pass rush. The Saints were tied for fifth in the NFL in total sacks (48). Davenport, Onyemata, and Eliss were three out of their top-five producers in quarterback pressures.
Davenport is capable of elite pass-rushing production. In 2021, he had nine sacks in only 11 games. In addition, Eliss is coming off a breakout season, in which the former seventh-round pick recorded a career-high seven sacks.
In the wake of the offseason losses, the Saints’ pass rush looks far less intimidating. Of course, Cameron Jordan should continue to be a force on the edge, but the group lacks proven options around him.
First-round pick Bryan Bresee is still developing. He is an impressive athlete, but during his three-year run at Clemson, he produced nine total sacks.
Nathan Shepherd has flashed potential as a pass rusher, but he has only 1.5 sacks over the last two seasons.
Barring breakout seasons from Bresee and Shepherd, the Saints’ defense appears primed to take a step back this season.