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Projecting the New Orleans Saints' starting defense after free agency
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- Projecting the New Orleans Saints' starting defense after free agency
NFL free agency is in full effect, with teams signing many of the major free agents and taking them off the market early, adding to their respective rosters as quickly as possible. The New Orleans Saints have been among that group, improving their offense and special teams immensely over these few weeks, and working to retain a few pieces as well.
With that in mind, their defense has somewhat fallen to the wayside in terms of focus, as Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor both move on, and Cameron Jordan remains on the open market. The team's starting lineup on defense looks immensely different compared to 2025 at this juncture, but they still have time to sign pieces and focus on a few positional needs in the draft as well. Here is how things stand with the defensive unit at the moment.
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EDGE: Chase Young
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 30: Chase Young #99 of the New Orleans Saints reacts during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
DE: Bryan Bresee
Nov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90) reacts to sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
NT: Davon Godchaux
Oct 26, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (92) reacts during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
DE: Nathan Shepherd
EDGE: Carl Granderson
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Carl Granderson #96 of the New Orleans Saints react after a sack during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
LB: Pete Werner
Nov 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) breaks up the pass to Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
LB: Kaden Elliss
Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) is sacked by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
CB: Kool-Aid McKinstry
Dec 28, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) breaks up the pass to Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (5) during the second half of the game at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
CB: Quincy Riley
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 19: Quincy Riley #29 of the New Orleans Saints tackles Rome Odunze #15 of the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game at Soldier Field on October 19, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
S: Jonas Sanker
S: Justin Reid
STAR: Julian Blackmon
Jul 28, 2025; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mason Tipton (15) is hit on a pass by safety Julian Blackmon (28) at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Who will the New Orleans Saints start on defense from current roster?
