Coming into 2026, the New Orleans Saints were expected to have one of the better defenses in the NFL. The heightened expectations were a result of a unit that ranked ninth overall and fourth against the pass in 2025. So far after four games, this defense has underachieved in a major way. Here’s a look at how the New Orleans defense ranks as we enter into the second quarter of the regular season.
New Orleans Saints Total Defense
- 32 points per game (32nd)
- 360.3 yards per game (26th)
- 3 turnovers (23rd)
- 93 first downs (30th)
- 47.6% third down efficiency (27th)
- 66.7% red-zone percentage (21st)
Pass Defense
- 212.5 yards per game (14th)
- 68.3% completion percentage
- 7 touchdowns (21st)
- 1 interception (25th)
- 8 sacks
- 21 QB hits
Run Defense
- 147.8 yards per game (30th)
- 5.1 per carry (29th)
- 9 touchdowns (32nd)
- 16 tackles for loss
This doesn’t even closely resemble the defense that coordinator Brandon Staley put on the field last season. Very few teams are softer against the run than the Saints, as opponents have had their way with them on the ground. The defensive line has gotten virtually zero push in the middle as pass rushers and gets moved around easily in the running game. A lack of depth here is astonishing, but starters Vernon Broughton and Nathan Shepherd have made no difference, while rookie second round pick Christen Miller simply cannot stay healthy and in the lineup.
Linebacker Kaden Elliss (calf) is about to miss his second straight game. Elliss has been the second best player on a struggling defense. Pete Werner and Danny Stutsman are both extremely limited in coverage or in pursuit, leaving the team vulnerable to off-tackle runs or passes in their direction. Inexplicably, athletic linebacker Isaiah Stalbird doesn’t see the field defensively after making several plays in limited action during 2025. Even with Elliss, opponents have been able to run straight at New Orleans.
A young secondary that played very well last year has also taken a noticeable step back. Brandon Staley’s scheme calls for a lot of zone and off-ball coverage, but the amount of cushion given this season to even average receivers is ludicrous. Corners Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley have still had some nice moments, but have also looked timid in coverage at times. Staley must utilize the talents of his two corners better.
It’s clear that second-year safety Jonas Sanker was a poor choice to fill the role of Alontae Taylor. Sanker is best as a run defender and in deep support, so using him to cover tight ends and slot receivers has been a disaster. Opposing tight ends have been unstoppable against invisible New Orleans coverage, with Sanker, the linebackers, and system being all at fault. Safeties Julian Blackmon and Justin Reid are a talented duo, but like the corners simply haven’t made the necessary game-changing plays. The entire secondary is guilty of poor tackling as well as the frustrating timid coverage.
Easily the defensive MVP so far is Chase Young. Despite constant double and even triple teams, Young has a team-high 3.5 sacks with 6 pressures so far. Unfortunately, he’s had no help around him. Carl Granderson and future Hall of Famer Cameron Jordan have been virtually invisible in the pass rush and weak against the run, much like the rest of this underachieving defense. Simply put, if Chase Young can be controlled, then the Saints are helpless to stop either the run or pass. If New Orleans is to prevent their season from spiraling out of control, then the defense must be the polar opposite of what they’ve been through the first month of play.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: How the New Orleans Saints defense ranks through first four weeks