Former first-round pick Leonard Floyd named fit with Saints
The New Orleans Saints will have an entirely different rotation on their defensive line in 2023. They signed veterans Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd in free agency and drafted defensive tackle Bryan Bresee along with edge rusher Isaiah Foskey in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. New Orleans can still snag some veteran […]
The New Orleans Saints will have an entirely different rotation on their defensive line in 2023. They signed veterans Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd in free agency and drafted defensive tackle Bryan Bresee along with edge rusher Isaiah Foskey in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
New Orleans can still snag some veteran help on the open market, and Pro Football Focus has one player in mind. They feel the Saints should kick the tires on edge rusher Leonard Floyd who spent the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Saints used the No. 40 overall selection on Notre Dame edge defender Isaiah Foskey but still could stand to improve on the edge. They're roster lacks much beyond veteran Cam Jordan and the underrated Carl Granderson. Floyd has been remarkably durable of late, as well, logging more than 900 snaps in three consecutive seasons.
The former first-round pick of the Chicago Bears has historically been a standup outside linebacker but is a lengthy, physical run defender at the point of attack and shouldn’t have too much trouble holding up amid a transition to playing with his hand in the dirt more often. It’s not the cleanest fit in the world, but it addresses an area in need of starting-caliber talent in 2023, and Dennis Allen can get creative with how he deploys a revamped front seven.
Floyd would be an intriguing fit with the Saints.
He's a little long in the tooth, but Floyd has racked up 29 sacks, 157 pressures, and 101 hurries over the last three seasons. Yes, playing with Aaron Donald helped these numbers, but Floyd can be a disruptive force with adequate play around him, and the Saints could surely find a spot for him in a rotation.
The Saints wouldn't have to shell out too much money to make a move for Floyd and he'd automatically bolster their defensive front.
