Saints’ edge rusher room shakeup

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

A tale of both gain and loss, the New Orleans Saints’ edge rusher room is among the position groups to see notable change this offseason.

Even though the group could end up with the same four rostered edge rusher going into training camp later this summer, it would require a key return: veteran leader Cameron Jordan.

The 2011 first round pick is still a free agent, but the door appears to remain open for a return. Even after that future is settled, there will be so much development to follow among the Saints’ group of primary pass rushers.

The room currently includes:

Last year’s active roster was most consistently made up of Jordan, Young (once he returned from injury), Granderson and Rumph. While Diggs and former Saints defensive lineman Jonah Williams would contribute often.

This season, the roster is set to see some turnover with two key additions.

Wilson was acquired via a draft-day trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Jennings is a free agency addition after the draft that brings promise as a run-stopper and a ceiling to be reached as a pass-rusher.

If Jordan does not return, Young, Granderson, Wilson and Jennings appear to be sure things. However, Rumph’s rotational value and special teams acumen will make him a true consideration and others will have a chance to show their growth and development over the course of the summer and offseason team activities.

If Jordan does return, things get a bit more complicated. Keeping five edge rushers wouldn’t be the hardest decision to make, especially if a player like Wilson could also take snaps at the 3-4 end spot.

This is a room that feels easy to predict now, but has some twists and turns that could change it aggressively. Especially with a promising and productive young rusher like Heldman now in the mix, who had 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss last year with Central Michigan.

New Orleans could see some surprises at the position.