Sack production is always a big emphasis across the league. Finishing plays is paramount, and the Saints are no stranger to witnessing firsthand what happens when that fails. There wasn't much to celebrate from the defense's performance last season. Dennis Allen was fired following the fallout from the Panthers' loss, and play call duties were handed to Joe Woods, with Todd Grantham helping advise on the game plan and defensive strategy. Grantham was later dismissed from the team. We've learned plenty about the reasons why things were what they were for last year's Saints, as the final result for New Orleans was one of its worst performances in years.
In particular, the sack production saw the Saints tie with the Bills and Chiefs for 18th in the league with their 39 sacks in 2024. The Falcons (31) and Patriots (28) were at the bottom, while the Broncos (63) and Ravens (54) were at the top. New Orleans finished with a 6.6% sack per pass attempt rate, which placed them 25th in the league. For perspective, the Broncos and Cowboys led the way with more than 10% in that category. When the Saints produced 51 sacks in 2019, that resulted in an 8.46% sack per pass attempt rate, and placed them 8th in the league in that category. They finished 3rd in the NFL that year in total sacks.
Saints Sack Production (Since 2017)
- 2024 - 39
- 2023 - 34
- 2022 - 46
- 2021 - 46
- 2020 - 45
- 2019 - 51
- 2018 - 49
- 2017 - 42
Fast forward to the offseason, and the Saints have a new defensive scheme with new coaches with a lot of similar player personnel. Mike, Nick and I weigh in on whether or not this is enough to affect the quarterback better in 2025.
Mike: It’s a concern area, for sure. I think the depth is decent enough – I like Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Bryan Bresee, Cam Jordan and others being part of the rotation in supporting roles. But obviously you’d feel a lot better about it if there was a true No. 1 showstopper in the bunch, though. I already have it targeted as the top priority in the 2026 draft.
However, I also think the two hidden areas where the Saints can and must really improve their pass rush are 1) stopping the run on early downs and 2) playing with leads or keeping games close.
They’ve made strides toward No. 1 by adding Davon Godchaux, Justin Reid and possibly Vernon Broughton, Jonas Sanker and Danny Stutsman. It feels like a big priority for Brandon Staley, and that’s huge because the run defense is the hidden area of this Saints team that has really collapsed in recent years.
Unfortunately, I don’t know how much they can do about No. 2, but it’s possible if the offense can stay healthy and lean on the offensive line and run game.
John: I like the idea of where their pass rush is with Chase Young in the equation. Imagine if they didn’t re-sign him. The biggest thing for him would be to finish plays, and I feel like this defense can really help Granderson out. Things were really bad last year, and honestly, it’s not a surprise that there was no consistency. Can that drastically change with essentially the same players with new coaching and a new scheme?
I think the big question for me is who is that player not named Young, Granderson, or Bresee? It remains to be seen what Cam’s involvement is going to be like, and will you get anything from Isaiah Foskey? At this point, Chris Rumph and Jonah Williams feel they have a significant advantage from having played under Staley previously.
They have to get there quicker, there’s no question about that. Too many times we’ve seen quarterbacks have forever to throw, or the pass rush is a second too late. That has to stop. I’m eager to see how creative Staley gets. The players are eager and giddy, too. Everyone I’ve talked to has only praised the system that they’re installing, and it’s been this ‘this is what it should have been’ mood.
That’s a good call on the run defense, Mike. They’ve progressively gotten worse in that department. I mean, 31st last year? That’s really crazy. Remember when we made all the big deals about the mobile QB? Or when the Saints had that ‘100-yard’ streak? Fun times.
Nick: I think I’m way more pessimistic on the pass rush than you guys. There were some pressure stats last year that make you believe that things could be a little bit better. But we’re talking about 5.5, 5.5 and 4 sacks last season from the top three edge players. Those are scary numbers. The production would need to drastically improve for me to feel better about anything we’ve seen.
Just trying to play out scenarios here, I think someone would need to double their total for me to feel like something is here — and I’m not sure I see how that happens. I think it’s the worse position on the roster until we’re proven otherwise, and a spotty group at cornerback might only make them worse. Hopefully, it ends up somewhere in the middle, but it just feels like it’s closer to disaster than being good.
I do think the run defense will improve, though, so that’s at least something. The team had a specific plan to improve that area and I think they hit on both of their swings by trading for Davon Godchaux and signing Justin Reid. Will it make them good? I think that’s tough. They’re probably going to get run on more than ever with the team rebuilding, but on a snap-to-snap basis, I think we see improvement even if the numbers don’t shift much.
John: So, use your crystal ball and predict who leads the Saints in sacks this season.
Nick: I think I’d take Granderson if I had to pick one. But it could be him, Bresee or Young. I don’t have a strong lean. But if the odds were long enough on Alontae to make it enticing, I’d sprinkle something there.
Mike: I’ll go with Chase Young. I know I’m a hopeless believer in his skill set, but I also don’t think I’m being unreasonable in making him the favorite. I feel like Bresee could have an even better year than last year without actually topping his total of 7.5 sacks. I like Young or Granderson’s chances of hitting nine sacks just a little more.
Young has never topped 7.5 in his career, so I have to believe in that pattern. But this is also the healthiest he’s been in a long time, so it would make sense for him to have his best season since those injuries started derailing his career back in his sophomore 2021 season.
John: Staley has had Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, Khalil Mack and Nick Bosa. They’ve done quite well under him, but I’m not racing to give anyone double-digit sacks. Something in me feels like Bryan Bresee is the smart play, because honestly, I'd hate to see him regress, but I have to take Granderson here to be more like his 2023 self.