New Orleans Saints Offseason Evaluation: Defensive Line

Note: This is the third in a five-part series evaluating the New Orleans Saints roster heading into the draft.

The New Orleans Saints defensive line has been a bit of an enigma the past few seasons. That's because they're extremely talented, and at times have been great, but are extremely inconsistent.

I will break the two position groups up between defensive tackle and defensive end, and look both at past performance and how they project into new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' 4-3 pressure defense.

Defensive Tackle

Sedrick Ellis, Brian Young, Hollis Thomas, Kendrick Clancy, Rod Coleman, Remi Ayodele, and Demario Pressley.

The Saints made a good pick in last year's draft by grabbing Sedrick Ellis with the seventh pick in the draft, even though they had to give up this year's third round pick to do it.

Ellis proved he was worth whatever the Saints had to give up to acquire him early in his rookie season. He had four sacks and 30 tackles. But it was his ability to consistently get in the backfield, both in rushing the passer and disrupting the run, which made him such a good player a season ago. By the end of the year, he was requiring double teams, which obviously helps others on the D-Line.

I wouldn't expect Williams to try to change Ellis or his role. He is the classic three-technique, meaning he uses quickness and agility to try to blow by guards/centers. Williams will most likely just allow him to play, but use some stunts and games to cause confusion on the O-Line in order to free Ellis up since he has great burst to finish a play.

Brian Young and Hollis Thomas were the starters before Ellis arrived. Young has always been more of a traditional three-technique, while Thomas has filled more of a one-tech role.

The one-tech lines up almost directly on top of the center, and his job is more like that of a 3-4 nose tackle, in that he is supposed to hold his ground and try to attract a double team. But because Ellis is the one getting the double team, Young or Clancy may be a better fit for this position, as they rely more on quickness.

Thomas and Young may be fighting for a roster spot when training camp commences in late July. Because both are older and have had injury history the past few seasons, they are both going to struggle to gain a starting spot on a defense which is getting more talented by the day it seems.

Clancy has been a nice player for the Saints who has held a spot and done an adequate job, but really is a rotation player.

My hope is that Pressley proves to be the complement to Ellis, since he is young and could provide a nice nucleus for years to come.

Ayodele may be able to compete for a roster spot, but the Saints would probably prefer he be a practice squad/injury replacement-type player.

(Edited after the fact) Coleman was signed today to add even more depth to the defensive tackle spot. Coleman is a huge body and like Thomas is almost like a 3-4 Nose Tackle. This would seem to almost eliminate any possibility of the Saints drafting a DT with their First Round pick.

Grade: B (Too many questions, but one very good player who should solidify some things at the position this year.)

Defensive End

Will Smith, Charles Grant, Bobby McCray, Paul Spicer, Jeff Charleston, and Josh Savage.

Obviously, everyone knows about Smith and Grant and their huge contracts, and possible "steroids" suspension.

Because of this, the Saints were wise to sign veteran DE Paul Spicer to possibly start alongside McCray for those first four games, while Savage and Charleston are both guys who started at times last season and probably played as well as, if not better than, Smith and Grant.

Unfortunately, Williams' defenses have struggled quite often (at least recently) with a pass rush from the D-Line. But he's never had the talented pass rushers he now has with Smith, Grant, and McCray.

Smith is probably the most gifted pass rusher of the three because he has good size, speed, and agility. His weakness tends to be against the run, and he is a guy who plays aggressively and will not hold the edge on run plays.

Grant is actually a pretty good player against the run, but lacks the explosiveness to be a consistent pass rusher. I would expect McCray to be the guy on passing downs, and Grant could possibly slide inside in these situations.

McCray is a talented pass rusher, but is inconsistent, and not incredibly stout against the run. If he has to start, the Saints have to hope they get some great run game penetration from their DTs and the linebackers do a great job of filling their gaps.

Spicer, on the other hand, is more of an edge defender versus the run, and will not provide that consistent pass rush. He is more of a technician who will keep, contain, and hold the edge. He will likely see the field in obvious run situations.

Charleston is a guy who really stood out in a few games last season. He is one of those "high-motor" guys who may not be as physically gifted as players such as Smith and Grant, but will always give you everything he has.

As I noted above, he really performed well, and may be equal to Smith and Grant a season ago. Worst case scenario in my mind is that the Saints keep him as a reserve type player. He is one of those guys, though, who makes your football team better.

Savage is similar to Charleston, without the production. That is not to say Savage has been bad when he's played, just that he's a little more inconsistent with his effort. Savage will almost certainly maintain a roster spot in the event that Grant and Smith are suspended, but perhaps he would be let go if they are given a free pass.

Grade: B (Smith and Grant are as talented a DE duo as there is, but are way too inconsistent, as in fact is the whole group. Hopefully, Williams and new line coach Bill Johnson can get something out of these guys that the previous defensive staff was unable to.)

So I have the Saints D-Line as a whole grading out with a B. If this holds true, and the unit plays at a B level, the defense should naturally improve, since D-Line play is the key to any defense.

Next, I will tackle the linebacker spot. Until then, good luck with your bracket (if your's still exists) and God Bless.