The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the New Orleans Saints and preview how it might perform this season.
New Orleans Saints 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
The Saints held up well against the run last season, allowing 4.0 yards per carry to running backs and finishing ninth in explosive run rate allowed to backs. A first-round pick in 2023, Bryan Bresee has struggled to make a significant impact through three seasons. Neither Nathan Shepherd nor Davon Godchaux, who also played significant snaps last season, offered much more. It is not surprising, then, that the team added Christen Miller in the second round.
The Saints finished 22nd in pressure rate last season, but they did record 45 sacks, which was good for 10th in the league. Cameron Jordan announced his return in June. He will play opposite Chase Young, who recorded an elite 18.1% pressure rate and 10 sacks over 12 contests and now has a 15.9% pressure rate and 15.5 sacks through 29 games with the Saints. Carl Granderson is coming off yet another solid season, and the team will hope to get more out of former first-round pick Tyree Wilson, who they traded for during the draft.
While Jordan will return to the Saints, Demario Davis’ time in New Orleans is over. With Davis now playing for the Jets, the Saints needed to add to this linebacker group, and they did that with Kaden Elliss. It is a homecoming for Elliss, who was drafted by the Saints in 2019 and spent his first four years with the team. The spot next to him remains a question. Pete Werner was the primary option a year ago, but he did not stand out as a quality option. A fourth-round pick last year, Danny Stutsman saw his role in the defense grow late in the season, and he could push for the starting job next to Elliss.
New Orleans finished 13th in yards per pass attempt allowed and EPA allowed per pass attempt last season. Alontae Taylor left in free agency, opening up a big snap hole in the secondary, even if his level of play was not always the best. Kool-Aid McKinstry took a step back in his second season. A fourth-round pick last year, Quincy Riley served as the No. 3 option as a rookie, and the team added Martin Emerson in free agency.
On a defense with question marks throughout, New Orleans’ safety room stands out as a strength. Justin Reid continued his strong play in his first season with the Saints, and Jonas Sanker established himself as an immediate starter as a rookie. Julian Blackmon entered the year in that starting job, but he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 1. He re-signed in free agency, and he is one of the primary options to cover the slot if the Saints decide to use more three-safety looks.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2026 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2026 games
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- Front Office Analysis positional spending, roster construction & cap analysis
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- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
- Penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams
