By Ross Jackson
A rough loss against the Green Bay Packers is backed up by the rough grades the New Orleans Saints were given by Pro Football Focus.
The analytics site was not high on the Saints, but after a 34-0 shutout loss, that is to be expected.
Here are the best and bottom grades given by Pro Football Focus to Saints players with at least 15 snaps in the game.
Top 5
TE Foster Moreau – 77.8
The veteran tight end has easily been one of the Saints’ best and most reliable players so far this season, especially down the stretch. He was the team’s leading receiver, despite catching only a pair of passes with 33 receiving yards. Moreau also helped contribute in passing and run protection.
OL Shane Lemieux – 70.9
Lemieux was a solid replacement at center when starter Erik McCoy went out with an elbow injury. His 90.1 run blocking grade was a team high. He did, however, surrender one sack and four pressures in pass protection.
DT Khalen Saunders – 69.6
Saunders could have ended up the highest-graded player were it not for an interception falling to the ground after a collision with cornerback Alontae Taylor. Monday Night Football has been kind to Saunders. In both Monday night games, the defensive tackle has been one of the top five graded players by Pro Football Focus. He was the highest graded defensive player in this game. His grade was bolstered as well by adding a hit on Packers quarterback Jordan Love, a tackle for a loss and a pair of passes defended.
S Will Harris Jr – 69.5
With eight combined tackles, Harris led the defensive backfield. He missed no tackles throughout the matchup and was credited with a pair of defensive stops, which highlights when a defender forced a play for a loss or no gain. He was targeted twice, allowing a pair of catches for just 17 receiving yards.
LB Demario Davis – 69.2
Davis again led the Saints defense in tackles, this time with 10 combined. He also added a hit on the quarterback and a tackle for a loss. As a whole, Davis’ game was probably not up his own standard with three missed tackles, but he was more than serviceable and one of the highest graded players on the team.
Bottom 5
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry – 39.8
RT Trevor Penning – 38.8
DE Payton Turner – 33.7
LB Willie Gay Jr. – 27.7
DL Tanoh Kpassagnon – 27.4
It’s no surprises to see this bottom five list loaded with defensive players, it was far from a stellar showing from the unit. While McKinstry allowed just one catch, his two missed tackles and run defense plummeted his grade. Payton and Kpassagnon were both also dinged in run defense for missed tackles and penalties and Gay Jr. was listed with two receptions allowed for 32 receiving yards, allowing a 118.8 passer rating when quarterbacks looked his way.
Penning was the lowest graded offensive player after a rough game in pass protection. Pro Football Focus lists him as giving up 11 pressures consisting of nine hurries, one hit and a sack on rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. His pass blocking grade of 19.1 is his lowest of the season and those 11 pressures are the most he surrendered since giving up eight against the Denver Broncos.
