The New Orleans Saints struggled to rush the passer in 2023. Clearly, the entire league took notice of it, too.

Via ESPN, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler broke down a survey given to league executives, coaches, and scouts. That survey ranks top 10 players at different positions. Check out his description for how they come to their rankings below.

With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, it is again time for the league's true insiders to make their voices heard. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This is the fifth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players have moved up or fallen off last year's lists. 

Where did the Saints stack up? Well, they didn't. That should not come as a surprise after 2023, though.

Saints snubbed from top ten edge rusher rankings via ESPN

Accordingly, NFL coaches, scouts, and executives do not see Chase Young, Cameron Jordan, or Carl Granderson as top ten players at their position. In fact, none of those players even got a single vote. 

No shocker there. The unit was one of the least productive last year. Adding Chase Young should help in 2024, but they need development and a bounce back from other pass rushers.

One of the rankings from ESPN is even more painful than their omission from the list. Trey Hendrickson, a pass rusher that the Saints let walk in free agency, made the ranks. 

Former Saints edge Trey Hendrickson ranked 9th in the NFL

Hendrickson cracking the list for the first time is football justice — and long overdue.

The relentless pass rusher has made three consecutive Pro Bowls since joining Cincinnati as a free agent in 2021, finishing this year tied for second in sacks with 17.5. He has posted at least 13.5 sacks in three of the past four seasons, and he's always close to the top in pass rush win rate. — ESPN+

One NFL front office member thinks Hendrickson is still a bit underrated, and he is probably right. His motor is among the best in football, and the production over the past four years backs that notion up. 

"Not sure why he doesn't get more love — very productive rusher, a pain to play against and a good run player." — NFC executive

2020 was the final season Hendrickson wore black and gold. He totaled 13.5 sacks and grew as a run defender. 

In the previous three years in New Orleans, he had just 6.5 sacks. He dealt with injuries, but the fourth season seemed like a bit of an outlier. Instead, it was a clue into what is seemingly how his career will shake out for another team. 

The Saints let him walk, choosing to not give him an extension. They attempted, but it did not work out. Now, Hendrickson's spent the past three years as a star defender for the Cincinnati Bengals. 

These rankings simply rubbed more salt in that wound for the Saints.

Other NFL coaches give Saints players a ton of extra motivation for 2024 season

Not a good look for them.