Story by
What the Saints are getting in free agent pickup Anfernee Jennings
- Story by
- What the Saints are getting in free agent pickup Anfernee Jennings
Entering this offseason, the New Orleans Saints were considered to have a need at edge rusher. The Saints did little on the defensive side in the first wave of free agency outside of bringing back Kaden Elliss at linebacker. They also didn't add an edge rusher through the draft, but did swing a trade for pass rusher Tyree Wilson and sign free agent edge Anfernee Jennings the day after the draft.
Late of the New England Patriots , Jennings was part of last season's AFC championship-winning squad. He and Tyree Wilson were added in case the Saints can't re-sign franchise legend Cam Jordan and can bolster the edge rotation if Jordan does return. Here's what to expect from one of the latest additions to the New Orleans defense.
Advertisement
Anfernee Jennings background
-
Position: Linebacker
-
Age: 28
-
College: Alabama Crimson Tide
-
Height: 6-feet, 2 inches
-
Weight: 255 pounds
-
NFL experience: 5 years
Playing collegiately at Alabama, Jennings was a big contributor for Nick Saban's defense for all four years. He had 13.5 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions over his last two seasons with 2019 resulting in a 1st Team All-SEC selection. Jennings was a third round choice in the 2020 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots , the 87th overall selection.
As a rookie in 2020, Jennings appeared in 14 games and made four starts, playing 33% (292) of the defensive snaps. After missing all of 2021 with injury, Jennings came back the following year to play in 16 games with three starts and appearing on 343 (32%) of the defensive snaps. He registered 1.5 sacks, the first of his career, with 11 pressures.Jennings made a combined 30 starts over 2023 and 2024. He appeared in over 70% of the defensive snaps, a combined 1,508 plays. Over those two seasons Jennings had a total of 144 tackles, including 21 for loss (14 in 2023).
However, he managed only 4 sacks along with 14 QB hits and 21 pressures. In 2025, Jennings dipped to 33% of New England 's defensive snaps (280) in three starts over 14 contests. He had a respectable 10 pressures, but just 2 sacks and 5 stops for loss among 26 total tackles. Jennings was also active on special teams, playing over 550 snaps there over his five seasons in New England.
Advertisement
Jennings' fit with the Saints
New Orleans did not draft an edge rusher to fill what many felt was their biggest need. They did trade a fifth round choice to acquire Tyree Wilson from the Raiders, then signed Jennings after the draft. Jennings should not be viewed as a solution or reason that the Saints do not re-sign Cameron Jordan. Jennings has been a solid rotational piece throughout his career. He's an underrated run defender that doesn't add a lot in the pass rush. In that respect, he's a very similar player to Chris Rumph II, who the Saints re-signed this offseason.
If the Saints don't re-sign Jordan, then their edge rotation opposite of Chase Young would be Carl Granderson , Wilson, Rumph, and Jennings. Anfernee Jennings can be a solid defender in this scheme, but will have to increase his pass rush production to earn a significant role.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: What Saints are getting in Patriots free agent OLB Anfernee Jennings
