After a few seasons of disappointing production off of the edge, the New Orleans Saints’ defense took a major step forward in 2025 thanks to the position. Now, the edge rusher group is looking to maintain its momentum as the team gets back to training camp.
The production of the edge rushers in previous seasons wasn’t always the fault of the defensive ends themselves. Scheme and coaching created some concerns, based on the Saints’ longtime defensive end Cameron Jordan’s assessment of former defensive line coach Todd Grantham.
Now, with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley bringing a system and coaching staff structure (one with a dedicated EDGEs coach) that better supports the group, the Saints’ edge rushers are on an upswing, one they’ll want to continue to cash in on in 2026.
The Names
- Chase Young
- Cameron Jordan
- Carl Granderson
- Chris Rumph II
- Fadil Diggs
- Tyree Wilson
- Anfernee Jennings
- Mike Heldman
Top Storyline
The group’s biggest story this offseason was centered around the “will they, won’t they” between Jordan and the Saints. Now that the two sides are locked in on an agreement for Jordan to spend his final NFL season (at least as currently expected) in New Orleans, the focus shifts to the passing of the baton from Jordan to Young.
Now that Young is going into this third season in New Orleans and is coming off a career-best season in the Big Easy, it’s going to quickly become his turn to take on the leadership role at the position and across the defense.
The 2026 season, where the team already lost some veteran leadership with departures of linebacker Demario Davis and quarterback Taysom Hill, now becomes about establishing the new standards across the roster and who will maintain them. Young is next in line.
Throughout camp, seeing Young lead the way in rotational order and setting the example for those who follow will be an important part of the transition. Beyond that, production and disruption will continue to be the name of the game for Young from a lead by doing perspective.
Most Intriguing Battle: Next Man Up
Everything about the edge rusher competition in camp will center around the position’s depth. Young, Jordan and Granderson (who accounted for 26.5 of the Saints’ 45 total sacks last year) are established atop the rotation. The remaining names will be battling it out to see who earns the immediate backup roles behind the top trio.
An early edge exists for Jennings, despite being a newcomer. His role as an elite run defender will earn him early rotational opportunities on first and second downs as an edge setter.
However, WIlson is looking to prove that this change of scenery will be able to unlock his top-10 draft pick potential.
It’s likely that a couple of these names will also be in line to land practice squad opportunities, offering them chances for early season elevations to contribute on special teams. There are more than a few available roles and spots at the position, but the difference in contribution opportunities may be extreme.
