Trading for Davon Godchaux was the first big move the New Orleans Saints made this offseason, but Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine still sees the defensive line as a big need for the Saints. Bryan Bresee is a foundational piece at defensive tackle, but Ballentine felt “the rest of the position group is floating around replacement level.”
Even with Bresee, New Orleans’ pass rush left much to be desired and they ranked 31st against the run. The defensive line spearheads both of these facets of the defense, so the failure falls heavily on their shoulders.
Ballentine still sees Mason Graham, Walter Nolen and Kenneth Grant as potential additions the Saints could make in the NFL draft, but “looking across the mock draft landscape you’ll see edge-rushers, wide receivers, cornerbacks and even Shedeur Sanders slotted to them.”
What’s interesting about the defensive tackles suggested is they don’t necessarily align with where the Saints are drafting. Graham would be a great fit, but there’s no guarantee he’ll even make it to the Saints. If he did, Graham would be a leading candidate to be selected. His Michigan running mate, Grant, may not make it to the Saints at No. 40. Ballentine described him as “a pure nose tackle, but he has the potential to become a threat as pocket-pusher.”
Nolan may be “voted as the most versatile defensive lineman in the class,” but he’s been typically slotted in the middle of the first round. Grabbing him at nine may feel a little rich.
It’ll be fascinating to see if the need and value ever cross paths for these prospects and the Saints, but the Saints would be benefit from acquiring any of these prospects.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Defensive tackle picked as sneaky need for the Saints
Trading for Davon Godchaux was the first big move the New Orleans Saints made this offseason, but Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine still sees the defensive line as a big need for the Saints. Bryan Bresee is a foundational piece at defensive tackle, but Ballentine felt “the rest of the position group is floating around replacement level.”
Even with Bresee, New Orleans’ pass rush left much to be desired and they ranked 31st against the run. The defensive line spearheads both of these facets of the defense, so the failure falls heavily on their shoulders.
Ballentine still sees Mason Graham, Walter Nolen and Kenneth Grant as potential additions the Saints could make in the NFL draft, but “looking across the mock draft landscape you’ll see edge-rushers, wide receivers, cornerbacks and even Shedeur Sanders slotted to them.”
What’s interesting about the defensive tackles suggested is they don’t necessarily align with where the Saints are drafting. Graham would be a great fit, but there’s no guarantee he’ll even make it to the Saints. If he did, Graham would be a leading candidate to be selected. His Michigan running mate, Grant, may not make it to the Saints at No. 40. Ballentine described him as “a pure nose tackle, but he has the potential to become a threat as pocket-pusher.”
Nolan may be “voted as the most versatile defensive lineman in the class,” but he’s been typically slotted in the middle of the first round. Grabbing him at nine may feel a little rich.
It’ll be fascinating to see if the need and value ever cross paths for these prospects and the Saints, but the Saints would be benefit from acquiring any of these prospects.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Defensive tackle picked as sneaky need for the Saints
