Report: Saints to bolster pass rush by adding two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive end
The Saints have apparently had enough of watching quarterbacks run all over them. On Monday, they finally did something to fix an increasingly significant problem by adding free-agent edge Jason Pierre-Paul, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.
If a deal is finalized, this will mark Pierre-Paul's second stint in the NFC South after he played four seasons in Tampa Bay from 2018-21. The former Giants defensive end from 2010-17 played in 14 games (13 starts) for the Ravens last season and had three sacks and an interception.
New Orleans lacks depth at defensive end behind starters Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson, with Tanoh Kpassagnon the only other edge defender to play in all 10 games.
Rookie second-round pick Isaiah Foskey (strained quad) missed Week 10's 27-19 loss to the Vikings and 2021 first-rounder Payton Turner (turf toe) hasn't played since the season opener.
Per Pro Football Reference, New Orleans has a 20.9 percent blitz rate, 24th in the league, relying on its front four to generate pressure. That formula hasn't worked as the Saints rank 27th in pressure rate (17.8 percent) and tied for 28th in sacks (18). According to ESPN, New Orleans was 31st in its pass-rush win rate model entering Week 10.
On Sunday against the Vikings, quarterback Joshua Dobbs gashed the Saints in the first half and was only sacked once on 14 pressures. He exposed a defense vulnerable against mobile quarterbacks with 44 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Per RotoWire, New Orleans allows the most yards per rush attempt to quarterbacks Since Week 7, the Saints have allowed 176 rushing yards on 25 attempts by quarterbacks.
Pierre-Paul, 34, isn't the player he was at his All-Pro peak, but he's as good an addition as any New Orleans could make at this point of the season.
The Saints will likely be without standout cornerback Marshon Lattimore (high-ankle sprain) when they return from their Week 11 bye. While they have the depth at corner to withstand a short-term absence from Lattimore, a more potent pass rush will only help a defensive backfield without its best player.
New Orleans (5-5) has a half-game lead in its division and a favorable schedule going forward, with Detroit (7-2) the only team it plays with a winning record.
Per oddschecker, the Saints (-110) are the favorite to win the NFC South.
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