The New Orleans Saints’ edge rushers will be one of the most important positions in determining Brandon Staley’s defensive success. It’s pivotal that Chase Young, Cam Jordan and co. provide constant pressure on the quarterback. This task can’t be pinned solely on the starters, as the backups must contribute to succeed in 2026.
The Saints have ample talent on the edge. Young has flourished into a superstar when healthy, Jordan is a reliable veteran presence, and Carl Granderson has flashed moments of brilliance. However, they lack depth, which can cause problems when the ever-present injury bug strikes. As a result, their other pieces must step up for the defense to succeed.
There are a few players who could fill this role. Most notably, trade acquisition Tyree Wilson, veteran Chris Rumph, or even Kaden Elliss when he’s asked to rush off the edge. It doesn’t matter who; all that’s important is they find a consistent option when the starters are injured/on the bench.
The Saints' pass rush must pressure the quarterback and help the secondary.
The Saints’ secondary is filled with questions heading into 2026, and they can't consistently hold up for extended periods of time in coverage. Because of this, it’s pivotal that the defensive line, particularly the edge rushers, provide constant pressure on the quarterback and speed up their internal clock. This will help the defensive backs by shortening the play and forcing the opposing quarterback to make quick decisions, thus leading to mistakes.
Per Sharp Football Analysis, the Saints blitzed 24.9% of the time in 2025. For reference, the Minnesota Vikings led the league with 48%. This stat shows just how much Saints rely upon their edge rushers to apply pressure instead of sending extra men. This makes the likes of Young, Jordan, Granderson, and others vastly important, and it is imperative that they can consistently beat one-on-one situations.
With this in mind, the Saints’ edge rushers’ consistency is the key to unlocking Brandon Staley’s defense. They must provide consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback to help the defensive backs. If they can, don’t be surprised to see the group thrive and directly lead to the win column.
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