Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport laid out the worst case scenario for the New Orleans Saints defense, and it's pretty bleak. The unit didn't see much attention this offseason and hinges upon development of key young players. Davenport laid out a world where the run defense doesn't improve while the pass rush and coverage regresses.
The Saints have taken the steps to improve the run defense. It's the one thing they've really honed in on that side of the ball so it would be brutal to watch. After allowing 120 yards per game, they drafted Christen Miller in the second round. Vernon Broughton is also returning from injury. Those additions could make a huge difference.
Pass rush and pass coverage doesn't have many additions. The Saints are running it back with the same corners, and one of their top two pass rushers from 2025 is going into Year 16. These are reasons to be skeptical. A regression isn't unfathomable, though it doesn't feel the most likely.
Saints desperately need Chase Young and Kool-Aid McKinstry to take the next step
Davenport hit the nail on the head. If the Saints want to avoid their worst case scenario, there’s no more important players than Chase Young, Kool-Aid McKinstry and an honorable mention to Julian Blackmon.Â
Young is going to need to take a step forward in 2026 by just staying healthy. He became dominant off the edge last year, but he missed the first five games of the year. If Young plays all 17 games and becomes a 13 sack player, the defense should make a massive leap.
New Orleans may need Young to do that. Jordan has returned, but he has to show he can once again be a 10 sack player. If that number goes down slightly, it's on Young to keep the balance. 20-25 sacks from the top two pass rushers will suffice regardless of who the two are. The only sure name is Young.
McKinstry needs more consistency. He has shown the flashes to be their top corner. The Saints just need him to be that consistently. If they get that, it provides a reliable option at a premier position. McKinstry is going into a make or break year to earn that title. If he doesn't prove it, cornerback could be a position the Saints draft early next April.
Blackmon gets an honorable mention because it’s more about the need for interceptions than the safety himself. Blackmon is the most likely player to lead the Saints in interceptions. It doesn’t have to be him, though. He has a history of consistently getting interceptions. He had three interceptions in 2024 and four picks the year prior. It’s one of the biggest reasons the signing was hyped up last year.Â
The season ending injury in Week 1 stripped that opportunity away. Blackmon continuing the streak would bolster the Saints defense. It could just as easily be Quincy Riley. He was a ballhawk in college. This was true at Middle Tennessee State and he carried it over to Louisville. Maybe it'll be McKinstry. It doesn't matter who it is. The Saints just need to make life easier on themselves with more interceptions.
e.Â
Add us as a preferred source on Google