Saints trade for young defensive tackle, with Khalen Saunders sidelined with injury

A day after getting the roster down to 53 players, the New Orleans Saints are continuing their roster construction, signing players to the practice squad, and also acquiring players via trade. Wednesday afternoon, the Saints traded with the Washington Commanders, bringing defensive tackle John Ridgeway III to New Orleans. The Saints also picked up a 2025 seventh-round pick, while sending back a 2025 sixth-round pick.

Saints trade for John Ridgeway III

Ridgeway was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, he didn’t last long in Dallas, getting waived by the team in September of his rookie season. He was claimed off waivers by the Commanders, and that’s where he’s spent his career since.

As a rookie, Ridgeway appeared in 15 games, starting four. On the season, he recorded 24 tackles and forced one fumble. In year two, Ridgeway played in all 17 games, starting just two. He slightly improved his numbers to just 31 total tackles.

Ridgeway’s role with the Saints will be very similar; he’ll serve as a depth defensive tackle. This move makes some sense, as it was recently reported veteran defensive tackle Khalen Saunders will be sidelined for a couple of weeks with a calf injury. While Saunders gets healthy, the Saints still have solid depth with the addition of Ridgeway.

The defensive line, as a whole, was a weakness for New Orleans last season. That should change this year, largely because of a player Ridgeway was teammates with once before, Chase Young. The veteran defensive end quickly established himself as a difference maker, and New Orleans is looking for that to continue in the regular season.

In addition to Young, Bryan Bresee looks like he’s ready to make a big leap, and Cam Jordan is healthy. If the defensive line elevates its game, Saints could have an elite defense.

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