PFF Ranks New Orleans Saints Defensive Line as Worst in the NFL for 2025 Season

The Saints finished 18th in sacks and had the third-worst rushing defense in 2024. With a combination of bad run defense and the lack of sacks, PFF sees the unit being even worse in 2025.

There's plenty of talent on the defensive line in New Orleans. Housing former first overall pick Chase Young, first-round pick Bryan Bresee, and standout UDFA Carl Granderson has shown a tremendous amount of promise, yet the team has lacked the results they want. 

Young and Granderson each finished in the top 10 among all edge rushers in hurries, with Granderson being in the top three. Despite the two edge rushers finishing at the top of the league, neither could efficiently get to the quarterback. It was defensive tackle Bryan Bresee who led the Saints in sacks with 7.5 

With the hiring of defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, New Orleans will be switching to a 3-4 defense. Within this scheme, a defense will be more prepared for pass defense in exchange for run defense. 

To accommodate their scheme change, the Saints have been active in free agency and the draft to get the correct personnel for the switch. Moves such as trading for former New England Patriots NT Davon Godchaux and using the 71st overall pick in the draft on Vernon Broughton show the team's eagerness to get bigger on the interior. 

Staley's defenses have ranked inconsistently over the years. During his time with the Los Angeles Rams, Staley housed the No. 1 defense in the league. Despite his success with the Rams, Staley's defenses ranked in the bottom half of the league as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. 

The 2025 season will be an adjustment year for the Saints. With changes everywhere on the roster and coaching staff, there are certain to be growing pains. Amid the spots on the roster that will see some of the biggest changes in the defensive line and pass rush, the defensive line will see some of the biggest changes. 

It’s no surprise that PFF and other media outlets have low expectations for the unit, but with the talent on the roster and a scheme tailored to fit the personnel, the defensive line could see a significant uptick in production in 2025.