An under-appreciated Saints player, not named Paulson Adebo, who will be big in 2024

The NFL world has reached the point in the offseason where everyone is establishing orders— orders meaning rankings and categorizing teams and players into appropriate groups. A common grouping at this time of the offseason is underrated or under-appreciated players. Multiple analysts have declared the underrated player on every team.

For the New Orleans Saints, that player has consistently been cornerback Paulson Adebo. Coming off a breakout season, Adebo was named the Saints’ most underrated player by PFF, and was recently named New Orleans’ most under-appreciated player by Tom Blair, in a piece for the NFL’s official website.

Adebo is starting to receive the title so much that it’s becoming a contradiction. Quite a few people have recognized his growth from last season, and he’ll now enter 2024, an import contract season, with high expectations from the Saints, and people throughout the league.

Since Adebo is now receiving recognition, this is a great time to shine some light on another Saints player who is also underrated. Defensive end Carl Granderson is the perfect candidate for this recognition.

Carl Granderson can go from underrated to a star in 2024

Much like Adebo, Carl Granderson has undergone tremendous growth in recent years. Joining the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Granderson has been a solid contributor throughout his career, but he’s coming off his most productive season yet. In 2023, Granderson recorded 8.5 sacks, 78 tackles, 14 for a loss, and 20 quarterback hits— all career highs.

Now, entering the 2024 season, it’s possible that Carl Granderson could be the best pass rusher in an edge room with Cam Jordan and Chase Young. That’s not a statement that many people would’ve guessed a few years ago, nor is it one that many people, league wide, currently realize. Whether Granderson is actually the Saints’ best defensive end or not, he’s poised for a big season in 2024, as he’ll help New Orleans, hopefully, establish a quality pass rush.

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