The New Orleans Saints didn’t draft an edge rusher, but they’ve bolstered the unit with a par of veterans. While the Saints wait to hear back from Cam Jordan, they traded a late round pick for Tyree Wilson during the draft and signed Anfernee Jennings the day after. The draft won’t show it, but the Saints do see the urgency in adding to this position.
Jennings is a signing that won't garner a lot of attention before or during the season, but it could have a noticeable impact on the defense. Additionally, the Saints waited to make this deal until after the draft, so it will have no impact on the team's compensatory selections in next year's daft. It's a low risk move
This is yet another move that doesn't take a Cam Jordan reunion off the table. As long as it's an ongoing storyline, it's something to monitor each step of the way. The Saints are investing in the position in way that doesn't box Jordan out, though Jennings packs some run defense that safeguards against a reunion not happening.
Anfernee Jennings gives an instant boost to Saints run defense
Jennings is cut from the cloth of edge defender that doesn’t get much attention. He’s a tried and true run stuffer. We often refer to these players as edge rushers so often that the run defense aspect becomes a forgotten component of the game.
Judging Jennings by his 7.5 career sacks would be severely underselling how he can help this team. It's ability to play the run that highlights his value and is a big reason why he is a real candidate to make the initial 53-man roster. Jennings had a career high 14 tackles for a loss in 2023. That's what New Orleans is hoping to get out of him
The Saints struggled to defend the run last season, allowing 120 yards per game. That's a middle of the pack number but still unacceptable. They drafted Christen Miller in the second round, and his specialty is stopping the run. It's clear there's a premium on fixing the run defense woes that plauged Brandon Staley's unit.
The Saints kept five edge defenders on the roster a year ago, and if they can secure Jordan, the top picks for the top five is obvious. Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cam Jordan, Tyree Wilson, Anfernee Jennings.