The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. 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 previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the New Orleans Saints and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 New Orleans Saints Defense
Once one of the more imposing run defenses in the league, the Saints continued their fall off in 2024, allowing 4.8 yards per carry on running back runs (29th) and 1.78 yards before contact per carry on those attempts (30th).
2023 first-round pick Bryan Bresee has yet to live up to that promise, though he did lead the team with 7.5 sacks in 2024. Still, the Saints will want to see more under new DC Brandon Staley.
New Orleans traded for Davon Godchaux, and they likely hope to get something resembling starting-quality options for their expected new three-man front looks out of the combination of Godchaux, Khalen Saunders, Jonah Williams, and Nathan Shepherd.
New Orleans ranked 18th both in pressure rate (33.6%) and sacks (39) last season.
The Saints did their cap magic again to bring back Chase Young on a three-year deal in free agency.
Carl Granderson matched Young with 5.5 sacks last season, and his 12.6% pressure rate was a solid 38th among qualified pass rushers.
Long-time stalwart Cameron Jordan played fewer snaps than those two, getting 4 sacks and logging an 8.5% pressure rate on 328 pass rushes.
Speaking of players who have been in New Orleans a long time, Demario Davis is back for his eighth season with the Saints and 14th season overall.
He continued to play at a solid level last season, leading the Saints with 12 run stuffs and ranking 23rd among qualified linebackers with a tackle on 20.3% of his run defense snaps.
Pete Werner was the primary option next to Davis last season, and he actually outperformed the veteran in coverage.
The Saints finished 23rd in yards per attempt allowed last season (7.3) and 25th in explosive pass rate allowed (8.9%), but they did rank second in touchdown rate allowed (3.2%).
This secondary has seen a massive shake up with Marshon Lattimore traded midway through last season and Paulson Adebo leaving in free agency.
A second-round pick last year, Kool–Aid McKinstry had a solid enough showing as a rookie, allowing 7.3 yards per target and an 89 quarterback rating in coverage in 15 games.
The same is true of Alontae Taylor, who played great in the slot early last season before struggling more when forced to the outside midway through the year.
That leaves open a starting spot on the outside, and the front runner for that spot is likely Isaac Yiadom, who re-joined the team after one season with the 49ers.
The Saints leaned into veteran defenders at safety, adding Justin Reid to start next to Tyrann Mathieu on the back end, but they did add some youth with Jonas Sanker in the third round of the NFL Draft.
A 2023 fifth-round pick, Jordan Howden is a solid No. 3 option who finished 14th among qualifying safeties in yards allowed per coverage snap last season.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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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 2025 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
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