By Ross Jackson
Offseason staff changes are leading to scheme changes on both sides of the ball for the New Orleans Saints. These shifts are going to create new opportunities for both established and developing players.
One defender that may end up seeing a lot more meaningful snaps in his second year is 2024 draft pick and defensive tackle Khristian Boyd.
The former Northern Iowa interior defender was inactive for 11 contests last year after an impressive camp earned him a spot on the active roster. Of those 11 games, he did not get a chance to find the field for the last eight matchups.
Those inactive games are something Boyd would like to see in the rearview mirror as he moves forward in his development.
“I got a chip on my shoulder after not having the season I wanted to last year,” Boyd told us in a one-on-one conversation about his potential in 2025. “Having a bigger role, having a bigger impact on the team, I just feel I’m more comfortable in the system and with these new coaches. I just feel like it’s the year for me and I understand the opportunity that’s here.”
Boyd was a player that worked hard all throughout his rookie season, but often gameplan needs and system fits were factors well out of his control keeping him off the field.
Boyd’s Inside Track
In new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system, Boyd has an inside track to an important role, that of nose tackle. Among all of the Saints current defensive tackles, Boyd is the only player to have seen more than 200 snaps in a season at nose tackle in recent years.
Those snaps were at the collegiate level while at UNI, so proving the talents can translate will be important. At least that’s a task that’s within his hands and control.
Why Staley’s New System Is Better For Boyd
The nose tackle connection is a big reason that the 6-foot-2, 320 pounder can thrive in 2025. But don’t consider the young lineman one-dimensional as a run stuffer.
Boyd believes that the team’s new path on the line will create more one-on-one opportunities for him and the other interior linemen to make an impact as pass rushers as well.
“Because we have more down linemen it creates more one-on-ones and more opportunities for the linemen to make plays instead of just taking on blocks,” he explained. “That’s how the old system was, especially the interior tackles. We were more to take on blocks, so linebackers could fill. But now there’s three interior D-linemen and two stand ups. So some opportunities for one-on-ones. So you got to make more plays.”
The Challenge For Boyd
The second-year player is in a crowded room. Along with him, veterans Bryan Bresee, Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd have returned. Newcomers like trade acquisition Davin Godchaux and 2025 third-rounder Vernon Broughton add to the mix.
With a heavily-population position group, Boyd will have to stand out and be noticed. But the drive, opportunity and supportive role to help him along are now clearly present.
