ESPN analyst shares his calculated projections for the New Orleans Saints defense in 2024

Clay's top individual player stats for the Saints

• DL Bryan Bresee: 34 tackles, 3.6 sacks, 536 snaps
• EDGE Carl Granderson: 7.1 sacks
• EDGE Cameron Jordan: 4.2 sacks
• EDGE Chase Young: 7.7 sacks
• LB Demario Davis: 120 tackles, 2.7 sacks
• LB Willie Gay Jr.: 61 tackles
• CB Paulson Adebo: 81 tackles, 2.7 INTs
• CB Marshon Lattimore: 68 tackles, 1.8 INTs
• S Tyrann Mathieu: 78 tackles, 2.5 INTs

Kool-Aid McKinstry isn't expected to play too much on defense in his rookie year, according to the ESPN analyst. Instead, veterans dominate his projections in the secondary. 

Clay actually has some high expectations for the front seven from New Orleans. After a disappointing season in 2023, he thinks that the DL will bounce back, and the linebackers will continue to be a backbone for the entire unit. Clay believes that the cornerback room will perform as one of the better rooms in the NFC, but he does has some doubt for the safety room of New Orleans. 

The Saints defense is ranked as the 9th overall unit in Clay's projections.

Overall, the Saints will be a solid defense once again in 2024. They need more consistency from the veterans, and only time will tell if they will produce enough to help them make it back to the postseason.