Saints draft Notre Dame all-time sack leader 40th overall

The Saints drafted Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame's all-time sack leader, with the 40th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after losing Marcus Davenport in free agency earlier this offseason.

New Orleans also lost defensive tackles David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle. With its first two picks in the draft, the front office made up for its departures in a big way.  

ESPN's Robert Griffin III noticed what the team is building with its latest move.

New Orleans drafted defensive tackle Bryan Bresee in the first round after adding free agents linemen Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders via free agency and re-signing Malcolm Roach earlier this offseason.

Foskey joins former first-round picks Cameron Jordan and Payton Turner, as well as Carl Granderson, Jabari Zuniga and Tanoh Kpassagnon to give the Saints solid depth at edge rusher. 

The Saints' pass rush was feast-or-famine last year. Despite finishing tied for fifth in sacks at 48, New Orleans had the fourth-lowest pressure rate at 17.5 percent. (h/t Pro Football Reference)

Head coach Dennis Allen relies on a four-man front to generate a pass rush; the team's blitz rate of 16.8 percent ranked 27th last year. The improved depth should allow Allen to rotate players, keeping them fresh on gamedays.

Foskey set the Notre Dame individual record for sacks at 25 on Nov. 19, 2022 against Boston College, eclipsing Justin Tuck's 24.5 sacks from 2002-04.

In Dane Brugler's "Beast" Guide for the 2023 NFL Draft, he praised Froskey's "play speed and nonstop hustle," saying he has the potential to develop into a "full-time edge rusher."