You can’t say the New Orleans Saints haven’t stacked up talent at defensive end. They signed Chase Young, the former No. 2 overall draft pick, adding him to a group that includes the former No. 28 and 40 picks in Payton Turner and Isaiah Foskey. And that doesn’t mention the starters, Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson, who broke out last year to lead the team in sacks.
The Saints just haven’t gotten enough production from that unit despite all the athletic upside and strong resumes they bring together. Expectations are high for them in 2024, and New Orleans can’t afford to be let down again.
Where does their group rank among the rest of the league? ESPN’s Mike Clay has a take, though it’s worth acknowledging this was written before news of Tanoh Kpassagnon’s injury broke. Expect Payton Turner to replace him in the rotation. Here’s how Clay ordered the full list:
32
Atlanta Falcons
Jan 1, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter (9) reacts after a defensive stop against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Lorenzo Carter, Zach Harrison, Bralen Trice, Arnold Ebiketie, James Smith-Williams
31
Washington Commanders
Oct 30, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell, Dante Fowler Jr., K.J. Henry, Andre Jones
30
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) celebrates after a turnover against the Atlanta Falcon in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
YaYa Diaby, Randy Gregory, Chris Braswell, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson
29
Tennessee Titans
Dec 24, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) and linebacker Arden Key (49) celebrate after a sack during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Harold Landry, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Jaylen Harrell, Caleb Murphy
28
Arizona Cardinals
Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Zaven Collins, Darius Robinson, Dennis Gardeck, BJ Ojulari, Victor Dimukeje
27
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is pulled down by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) as he throws in he first quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.
Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac
26
Denver Broncos
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 04: Baron Browning #56 of the Denver Broncos sacks Tyler Huntley #2 of the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning, John Franklin-Myers, Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss
25
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) chases New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) out of the pocket.
Gregory Rousseau, AJ Epenesa, Von Miller, Casey Toohill, Dawuane Smoot
24
Kansas City Chiefs
Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) and defensive end George Karlaftis (56) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Malik Herring
23
Carolina Panthers
Sep 24, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (24) and Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone (26) react after the Ravens score a safety against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports
Jadeveon Clowney, D.J. Wonnum, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson, Amare Barno
22
Los Angeles Rams
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Byron I. Young, Michael Hoecht, Jared Verse, Nick Hampton, Keir Thomas
21
New England Patriots
Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked for a safety by New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) in the 4th quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (98) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Montez Sweat, DeMarcus Walker, Dominique Robinson, Jacob Martin, Austin Booker
19
Seattle Seahawks
Dec 4, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) and linebacker Cody Barton (57) react against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Darrell Taylor, Derick Hall, Patrick O’Connell
18
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) during the first half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21. 2024.
Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal, Marcus Davenport, James Houston, Nate Lynn
17
Indianapolis Colts
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu poses after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the No. 15 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Dayo Odeyingbo, Tyquan Lewis
16
Philadelphia Eagles
Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) reacts to his sack during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) tries to block Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns (53) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Carlos Basham, Tomon Fox
14
Minnesota Vikings
Dec 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook (33) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Patrick Jones, Jihad Ward
13
Jacksonville Jaguars
Dec 15, 2019; Oakland, CA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen (41) reacts after the Oakland Raiders missed a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Haason Reddick, Jermaine Johnson II, Will McDonald IV, Micheal Clemons, Braiden McGregor
11
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) celebrates recovering a fumble against the Los Angeles Chargers during their football game Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr.
10
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 15 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings at PayCor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. The Bengals won on an overtime field goal.
Sam Hubbard, Trey Hendrickson, Myles Murphy, Cameron Sample, Joseph Ossai
9
San Francisco 49ers
Sep 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) reacts after sacking New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Drake Jackson, Yetur Gross-Matos, Robert Beal Jr.
8
Las Vegas Raiders
Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after sacking Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) reacts after a defensive stop against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Shaquil Barrett, Chop Robinson, Cameron Goode
6
New Orleans Saints
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional Playoff at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Carl Granderson, Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Isaiah Foskey
5
Los Angeles Chargers
Dec 23, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) rushes against the Buffalo Bills in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Chris Rumph II
4
Houston Texans
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) strip-sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Vikings won the game, 24-10.
Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., Denico Autry, Derek Barnett, Dylan Horton
3
Dallas Cowboys
Sep 18, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) rushes the passer as Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams (73) gets ready to block in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Marshawn Kneeland, Sam Williams, Durrell Johnson
2
Cleveland Browns
Sep 19, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) blocks Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire
1
Pittsburgh Steelers
Sep 10, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) scrambles with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) chases during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jeremiah Moon, Kyron Johnson
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