By Ross Jackson
While offense has been the main talking point for the New Orleans Saints all season, there was progress to pursue on defense as well.
One of the areas where the Saints wanted to see the most improvement on defense was in the pass rush. So far, the team is seeing its investments pay off in that category.
Per Next Gen Stats, Saints pass rushers Carl Granderson and Chase Young are tied at No. 4 in the NFL with 18 pressures on opposing quarterbacks. Both players have been called upon to lead the edge defense responsibilities for New Orleans with Cameron Jordan seeing his snaps trend downward for the time being.
Granderson has so far taken 75 percent of defensive snaps while Young has turned in a 70 percent share. Granderson led the team in pressures last season with 58 and is on pace to blow past that total if he can keep up his production as the season continues.
The former undrafted free agent out of Wyoming spoke this offseason about his desire for greater consistency. He pointed out that he had a hot start in 2023 but “hit a wall” partway through the season. His goal going into this year was to start hot and stay hot. He and Young have achieved the first part of the equation, now they will have to show their ability to maintain their impressive trajectory.
Young was added as a free agent this offseason on an incentive-laden contract that mostly boils down to game availability. So far things have checked out well with Young despite his offseason neck procedure. While he has only a half sack thus far, his impact has been undeniable not only in the pass rush but also against the run. Granderson has stood out in run defense as well.
The two ends are checking all the boxes and are showing early stages of revitalizing the Saints’ ability to disrupt opposing passers. Granderson led the team in sacks last year with 8.5. He already has three in as many games this season.
If both players can continue their impressive production, it will go a long way for the Saints and their defense. Finishing plays and disrupting quarterbacks was a big must for New Orleans to inject into its game this year and now they have two of the most disruptive players in the league on their defensive line. Not a bad start.
