4 reasons to get super excited for New Orleans Saints training camp
• The D-line could be better in 2023 despite the losses
• Saints could run the table in the NFC South
By Randy Gurzi
3. New Orleans' D-line is younger and more
It's never easy to lose multiple starters and the New Orleans Saints went through that on defense this year. They not only lost both starting defensive tackles but also a starting linebacker and one of their top rotational edge rushers.
Defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss signed with the Atlanta Falcons, defensive tackle Shy Tuttle signed with the Carolina Panthers and defensive end Marcus Davenport joined the Minnesota Vikings.
As tough as some of those losses were, the Saints were wise in the moves they made — or maybe the ones they didn't make. They were able to replace Onyemata and Tuttle with more affordable options in Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders. They also brought in a very athletic rookie in Bryan Bresee who could develop into a star.
On the edge, they'll be expecting Payton Turner to get on track but they also didn't count on him alone. New Orleans added Isaiah Foskey out of Notre Dame in the second round, and he should not only replace Davenport but could be an upgrade and won't cost them $13 million which is what he got from Minnesota.
In the end, they're younger and potentially more explosive on the defensive line. And while Joe Woods might not have a ton of supporters in Cleveland, the first-year Saints defensive coordinator did help Myles Garrett put up his best two seasons back-to-back and should be able to get the most out of this pass rush.