Saints bringing in veteran DL Jonathan Bullard for a FA visit

I believe Dline is the strength of our team this year. But we will take all we can get.

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I believe Dline is the strength of our team this year. But we will take all we can get.

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I just don't see that. With the new 3-4 front I think we are going to be highly dependent on new/unproven players because most of our carryovers will be out of their more natural positions

DEs listed on roster:
-- Cam Jordan is a perfect fit 3-4 DE, but it's late in his career and he only had 2 sacks in '23 and 4 in '24 so we'd be lucky to get 3 this season, anything better or even more consistent pass rush would be lagniappe. His run D is good but it will not improve in the football season that he turns 36.
--Jonah Williams (6'5" 275) hasn't done much in NFL. May be serviceable at 3-4 DE if he's strong enough and/or puts on some muscle. Probably just a camp body
--Omari Thomas (6'4" 325) has great size for either DE or DT, but just an undrafted rookie so we can't expect much at least this season
--Jasheen Davis (6'3" 270) admittedly don't know much about him other than the odds are stacked against him as an undrafted rookie. His draft profile reminds me of Foskey's that he's a bit stiff and relies on speed only
--Carl Granderson listed as DE but will essentially be OLB
--Chase Young listed as DE but will essentially be OLB
--Isaiah Foskey listed as DE but will essentially be OLB, plus he has yet to contribute outside of STs. Hopefully playing more as a standup OLB he can find some success.
--Chris Rumph II (6'2" 244) also essentially an OLB, also yet to really contribute on defense. Probably just a camp body.
--Fadil Diggs (6'4" 257) also essentially an OLB. 7th round rookie just fighting for a roster or even practice squad spot


DTs listed on roster:
--Bryan Bresee is the only one that is currently a difference maker due to his interior pass rush from primarily lining up over the G. But he might be in between positions because he's not strong enough or big enough (6'5" 305) to be your main DT/NT to occupy C&G against the run so ILB roam free. Can he continue his pass rush success if he lines up more over the T instead of G?
--Davon Godchaux (6'3"-330) has the best NT size, he's an upgrade, but I also don't think OCs are game-planning their run game around him. If we had
--John Ridgeway (6'5"-321) is next largest and suited for NT, similar play to Godchaux but not quite as good
--Khalen Saunders size (6'0" 324) suggest NT but he's not especially stout against the run, and he's got good athleticism so I think he could actually be better suited at 3-4 DE here
--Nathan Shepherd (6'5" 315) is not particularly good against the run for NT nor does he give enough pass rush for DE. I think he's fighting for a job honestly because the best thing he offers is as a 3-4 DE that's maybe above average against the run
--Khristian Boyd (6'2" 320) hopefully uses that strength we heard a lot about in last year's camp and adds technique to improve in year 2 to challenge for playing time.
--Vernon Broughton (6'5" 311) 3rd round rookie transitioning to the league, hope he's ready to contribute

TL;DR
Not counting Young & Granderson since they'll likely be standing up as OLB, we'll probably need to keep (5) hand in the dirt DL active on gamedays. I think that will be Jordan, Bresee, Godchaux, Broughton and Saunders, but hoping that Boyd really pushes for Saunders spot.

Would be happily surprised if Dline is the strength. We are good at question marks but that's where we are at. If oline and dline are our best units I'm pleased lol