The New Orleans Saints addressed a huge need during this offseason. They added pass rusher Chase Young. He's a former top five pick. He's got great physical tools. Now, he must make a major impact for New Orleans.
Via ESPN, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler broke down a survey given to league executives, coaches, and scouts. That survey ranks top 10 players at different positions. Check out his description for how they come to their rankings below.
With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, it is again time for the league's true insiders to make their voices heard. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This is the fifth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players have moved up or fallen off last year's lists.
Saints edge rushers snubbed from top ten rankings on ESPN
Accordingly, NFL coaches, scouts, and executives do not see Chase Young, Cameron Jordan, or Carl Granderson as top ten players at their position. In fact, none of those players even got a single vote.
The rankings have an honorable mention section. None of them were mentioned.
What about the "also receiving votes" section to make it a bit more respectable? No Saints players there either. By the numbers, those respected football minds thought of 25 other edge rushers before any of the Saints edges.
That's a rough look for the New Orleans defense. That being said, all the players can do is take the admission as motivation to prove those folks wrong in 2024. The Saints had one of the worst pass rush units in 2023, and they must bounce back this season.
New Orleans has received a fair dose of disrespect this offseason. Some of it, like the rankings, is deserved.
None of their play along the edge makes them belong on this sort of least. Clearly, people around the NFL agree with that.
Cam Jordan is coming off of a career-worst year, and Chase Young is dealing with an injury. Both have to make plays on defense for the Saints. Granderson is probably a bit underrated, but he must be more consistent in 2024.
All in all, the snub is completely understandable.
