Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
It was a disappointing year for the New Orleans Saints’ run defense in 2024. The team finished No. 31 in the league in rushing yards allowed and struggled to rebound from an already down 2023 season as many players and coaches had hoped.
From injuries to ineffective coaching approaches, the unit didn’t have a lot going its way. As the offseason went on, it began to look like the Saints were putting a lot of that strictly on the coaching by retaining largely the same group. However, since then, the Saints have shown a real focus on bolstering the personnel and thereby addressing the run defense.
The Saints have made some strategic decisions in adding new talent and options to their defensive interior, adding veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, drafting rookie lineman Vernon Broughton and now signing the 6-foot-3, 290-pound Jonathan Bullard.
These additions could prove essential to shoring up the Saints’ run defense. They will help provide new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley with an expansive group of talented players as he implements his 3-4 defensive scheme.
Two veterans immediately improve the defensive line
Godchaux brings a veteran presence while also providing the versatility and power to clog rushing lanes. Bullard, meanwhile, was a key contributor to the Minnesota Vikings’ No. 2 ranked run defense last year and plays physical with his heavy hands and ability to push the pocket.
Both players have a propensity for keeping their hands dirty and getting involved in plays. Pro Football Focus tracks a player’s rate of tackles on run defense plays. After trimming those plays down to only rushes by a running back, Godchaux and Bullard both would have landed in the top-three of Saints defenders if on the roster in 2024.
PFF’s percentage of rush defense snaps with a tackle in 2024 versus running backs
(DT’s only, minimum 100 rush defense snaps)
- Davon Godchaux – 18.8%
- Khalen Saunders – 17.8%
- Jonathan Bullard – 14.9%
- Nathan Shepherd – 14.5%
- John Ridgeway III – 12.2%
- Bryan Bresee – 4.7%
- This illustrates both a problem area for last year’s team, but also some valuable context as to why these acquisitions were specifically pursued.
Third-round rookie an immediate difference-maker?
Broughton was a heralded run defender as his role expanded with the Texas Longhorns.
“When you think about our run of defensive tackles, Vernon is a guy who had the opportunity to play behind and learn from some real pros,” Broughton’s former head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “… He has all the measurables and is a really big man who is very explosive and athletic. He can get on an edge, he can rush the passer, and he can play all three downs. He’s a very mature football player … He’s primed and ready to have an instant impact with the Saints.”
These three interior defenders also have the versatility to occupy a variety of defensive line techniques and deployments. Along with the addition of defensive lineman Jonah Williams, who has familiarity with Staley, the team has brought in some productive options to help fortify the run game on defense.
