Even if Chase Young was fully healthy, the New Orleans Saints should still consider drafting more pass-rush help in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Young’s uncertain health status ahead of neck surgery only makes the statement more true. The signing allows you to not reach for an edge rusher, but it shouldn’t keep you from drafting one if an impact player is there.
There are enough talented pass-rushing defensive ends on this roster to make the sentiment questionable, however, the room isn’t quite set up for the future. Chase Young is on a one-year contract. Tanoh Kpassagnon is a free agent next year. Payton Turner will be as well unless the team picks up his fifth year option. As a matter of fact, an impactful rookie could make Turner expendable during camp. Alabama’s Dallas Turner and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu have been popular picks for the Saints in recent mock drafts.
Carl Granderson, Isaiah Foskey, and Cameron Jordan are the only core edge rushers under contract for 2025. There’s questions within that triumvirate moving forward as well given each player’s age, past production, and injury outlook. There are bodies at the position, but the position shouldn’t be considered stable. Signing Young makes you feel satisfied with your 2024 outlook, so drafting an edge rusher at No. 14 isn’t a must-have, but it should be seen as a priority. It could still be a huge benefit for this year and moving forward if the right guy falls to New Orleans.
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