PFF says the Saints' best edge rusher isn't Chase Young

New Orleans Saints edge rusher Carl Granderson has been one of the most consistent defenders for the team over the last few seasons. Pro Football Focus is recognizing Granderson's importance to the Saints defense in their latest rankings.

According to PFF analyst Ryan Smith, Granderson ranks at No. 22 among the NFL's 32 best edge rushers. This is what Smith wrote in his reasoning, using a combination of career trajectory, PFF metrics, and film evaluation:

''After three underwhelming seasons to start his career, Granderson has developed into a consistently productive player over the past three years, earning an overall PFF grade of at least 74.1 in each. Known primarily for his run defense, he posted his best pass-rushing season in 2024, generating a career-high 61 total pressures.''

Granderson, 28, had 5.5 sacks along with 13 QB hits and 9 tackles for loss last year. He led the Saints in stops for loss and finished second behind defensive tackle Bryan Bresee in sacks and behind Chase Young in pressures (32) and QB hits. All were slightly below his career-best output and team highs of 8.5 sacks, 20 QB hits, and 14 tackles for loss during the 2023 season.

In a surprise, Chase Young did not make PFF's top edge rusher rankings. Young, 26, joined New Orleans last offseason and was re-signed by the team this offseason to a deal averaging $17 million per year. He led the New Orleans defense with 34 pressures and 21 QB hits and had 5.5 sacks with 8 stops for loss. Granderson and Young are expected to primary be stand-up rushers in new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's scheme that will incorporate more 3-4 alignments.

Undrafted out of Wyoming in 2019, Granderson was a rotational player over his first four seasons. He had a combined 9 sacks, 19 QB hits, and 10 tackles for loss in a three-year period between 2019 and 2021. Granderson had a breakout year in 2022 and has started every contest while playing over 75% of the Saints defensive snaps over the last two campaigns.

Carl Granderson was the highest-rated NFC South edge rusher in the PFF rankings. YaYa Diaby of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the only other NFC South edge to crack the PFF top 32, coming in at number 24. Granderson was the 10th-ranked edge rusher in the NFC in the PFF rankings. Former Saint and current Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson was ranked 7th overall.