The New Orleans Saints lost an important DL piece already this offseason. Tanoh Kpassagnon will miss a chunk of time with a torn Achilles. The pass rush was a major weakness in 2023, so they must adjust to make sure that does not happen in 2024.
Kpassagnon was third in QB pressures last season. He brought energy to the defense as a depth option. New Orleans could look to free agency to add more talent off the edge before the preseason.
How the Saints can improve their defensive line after Kpassagnon's injury
Check out the Saints' edge rusher options on the roster below:
- Carl Granderson
- Chase Young
- Cameron Jordan
- Payton Turner
- Isaiah Foskey
- Niko Lalos
- Nate Latu*
- Trajan Jeffcoat*
- *indicates rookie
They've got some proven talent in Granderson and Young. Plus, Jordan is a veteran with tons to prove after an injury-riddled 2023 campaign where he did not produce to his standard.
The Saints currently have just under $5.5 million in cap space after their post-June 1st cuts. That's enough room to add an impactful defensive lineman if they choose that route.
3 edge rusher free agents the Saints could sign
Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue is the most expensive options here. He totals four sacks in 2023 for the Chicago Bears. The veteran edge rusher has spent time with six different teams in his pro career.
He's a scheme fit, and fans wanted the Saints to target him during free agency last year as well. He ultimately signed a rather expensive one-year deal with Chicago. Ngakoue has totaled 69 sacks over his NFL career since 2016. He's still just 29 years old and could be a nice add for New Orleans.
Bruce Irvin
This is the most veteran option that the Saints could target. Irvin signed with the Miami Dolphins ahead of the 2023 postseason after spending much of the season with the Detroit Lions.
He was mostly a depth piece that bounced from the practice squad to the active roster in Detroit. He did get one sack in 2023 after totaling 3.5 in 2022 with the Seattle Seahawks. He's 36 years old and could look at joining a contending team to complete his career.
Tyus Bowser
Also at 29, Bowser is not quite the veteran option of Irvin. He probably has a lot more in the tank, though. Bowser did not play in 2023, but he was a solid rusher for the Baltimore Ravens in the two seasons before then.
Bowser compiled nine sacks in two years between 2021 and 2022. He has 152 total tackles in his NFL career. It will be a ssurrpsie to see him go unsigned for the rest of free agency. Could be a sneaky good piece for the Saints to grab on their defensive line.
