By Ross Jackson
This year’s NFL Draft class has faced a lot of criticism because of its perceived lack of quarterback talent. But the tide is finally turning as evaluators are starting to get a grasp of the amount of bona fide starter and contributor talent that is actually present this year.
One position that includes a ton of potential this year is the edge rusher class. The New Orleans Saints should be looking to invest there especially with the upcoming scheme change under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
Staley’s use of a 3-4 defense and other odd fronts, should open up more opportunities to deploy smaller, speedier standup edge rushers. While names like Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. and Mike Green of Marshall come to mind as first-round options, the Saints could wait and still land an impact player later in the draft.
One of the Saints recent virtual visits proves that, spending time in conversations with Syracuse edge rusher Fadil Diggs. The virtual meeting was reported by The Draft Network’s Justin Melo in an interview with the pass rusher.
Diggs is an athletic marvel at the position and measures up to the perfect prototype for Staley’s scheme.
At 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds, Diggs ran a blazing 4.57 40-yard-dash and racked up an impressive 9.35 RAS. He totaled 7.5 sacks in 2024 along with an impressive 14 tackles for a loss. Before transferring to Syracuse, Diggs played in the SEC as a member of the Texas A&M Aggies.
Syracuse EDGE Fadil Diggs (#10) ran a 4.57 40 at 257 lbs and his tape has flashes as well. Probably just a sitautional pass rusher at the NFL Level but I’ll take that on day 3 pic.twitter.com/RGfd3O75WF
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) February 27, 2025
Diggs’ build and play style are reminiscent of one of Staley’s former edge rushers Leonard Floyd who stood at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds coming into the league. If the Saints decide to wait to invest in another pressure player to add to their stable of Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cameron Jordan and Isaiah Foskey, Diggs could be a late-round fit and potential Day Three steal for New Orleans.
