Latest news with #BrandonStaley
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SB Nation Reacts Survey: Which Saints rookie draft pick are you most excited to see during minicamp?
The New Orleans Saints are set to hit the field for minicamp next week on Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11, with both practices open to the public. This will be the first time that fans can get a glimpse of the 2025 Saints team including all nine of their NFL Draft picks. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation on what new head coach Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley will bring to New Orleans so in this week's reacts poll we asked our readers to let us know which Saints rookie draft pick they are most excited to see during minicamp? Vote below and let us know! Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in New Orleans Saints fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. Advertisement More from
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Chris Rumph II joined the New Orleans Saints as a free agent this offseason. He'll be reunited with Brandon Staley, who coached him for his first three NFL seasons with the Chargers and is the new defensive coordinator for New Orleans. Advertisement A fourth-round pick out of Duke in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chargers, Rumph had just 3 sacks, 9 QB hits, and 4 tackles for loss as a reserve in his first three years. He missed the 2024 season with an Achilles injury. Rumph is the latest to wear the number 98 for the Saints. With 98 days until the 2025-26 season opener for New Orleans, here's a look at the other notable Saints players who have worn 98 during the regular season in franchise history. Saints History of 98 Nov 17, 2019; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) rushes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images • Reggie Lewis, DE (1982-84) • Milford Hodge, DE (1986) • Jim Hanna, DT (1994) • Ron Warner, DE (1998) • Willie Whitehead, DE/DT (1999-2006) Advertisement • Renaldo Wynn, DE (2007) • Sedrick Ellis, DT (2008-12) • Parys Haralson, LB (2013-14) • Mike Mohamed, LB (2015) • Sheldon Rankins, DT (2016-20) • Payton Turner (2021-24) • Chris Rumph II, Edge (present) September 26, 2010; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (98). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook - Imagn Images The first to wear 98 in franchise history, Lewis had his best season in 1983 with 6.5 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown. Hodge, Hanna, and Warner each played less than a season with New Orleans, combining for only nine games with the team. Whitehead was an underrated contributor for an outstanding defensive line in the early 2000s. His eight-year totals included 24.5 sacks and 40 tackles for loss. He remains the longest-tenured player to wear 98 for New Orleans. Advertisement Most view Ellis as one of the bigger draft busts in Saints history. The seventh overall choice in the 2008 NFL Draft out of USC, he was with the team for five years then out of the NFL altogether. Over that five-year span, Ellis had a combined 12.5 sacks, 30 QB hits, and 18 stops for loss. Jan. 13, 2007; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Willie Whitehead chases down Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia (7). Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images © 2006 John David Mercer Haralson was a decent player for an otherwise awful New Orleans defense. The final two years of his eight-year career were with the Saints. Wynn and Mohammed collectively played less than a year with the Saints, combining for only 13 games. The 12th overall choice in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Louisville, Rankins had a very good five-year tenure in New Orleans. Over that time, he had a combined 19.5 sacks, 73 QB hits, and 47 tackles for loss. Nov 7, 2021; New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner (98) is blocked by Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews (70). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images Turner joins Ellis on the Saints list of historical draft busts. The 28th overall choice in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Houston, he made a miniscule impact in his four years with the Saints before signing with Dallas this offseason. Of a possible 68 games with New Orleans, Turner played in only 31 contests and had just 5 sacks, 11 QB hits, and 11 tackles for negative yardage. Advertisement With any luck, Chris Rumph II will have an impact closer to what Whitehead and Rankins did for the team rather than Turner and Ellis. Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With History Of Number 99 Related: Pro Football Focus Snubs Saints In Under-25 Rankings Related: Saints Quarterback Ranking According To Pro Football Focus Related: Most Underrated Saints Player Highlighted By PFF Related: Trevor Penning May Have A New Home On Saints Offensive Line This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Predicting Saints' record in 2025 with game-by-game picks
Predicting Saints' record in 2025 with game-by-game picks It's here: New Orleans Saints fans know when every game on their team's slate is kicking off now that the NFL has released the complete regular-season schedule. The Saints will start 2025 with three straight games with NFC West teams and a tough two-week road trip taking them coast-to-coast from matchups with the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills. It all leads up to a climactic season finale with the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18. So will the Saints be better in 2025 than they were in 2024? Kellen Moore replaces Dennis Allen at head coach, and Brandon Staley replaces Allen as the defensive play caller. Derek Carr won't be the quarterback. Oddsmakers are low on the team whether or not rookie draft pick Tyler Shough starts at QB. Can they beat those expectations? Now that we've had time to look over the schedule and give it some thought, we're predicting how the 2025 season plays out for the Saints. We're going game-by-game to pick winners and losers each week. Here's what we expect from New Orleans in 2025. Buy New Orleans Saints tickets for 2025 Week 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals Brandon Staley has guarded Kyler Murray well in the past, but the young quarterback has a stronger support cast this time. The real question is whether Kellen Moore's offense can surprise Jonathan Gannon's defense. A lack of game tape and a healthy receiving corps should give the Saints an edge. They haven't lost a season opener since 2018. Moore's tenure starts with some positive momentum. Prediction: Win (1-0) Week 2 vs. San Francisco 49ers The 49ers fell off last year, but they still have a quality coaching staff and, when healthy, enough firepower to roll over any team in the league. Maybe the Saints can get the jump on them, but I don't like this matchup between a rebuilding New Orleans team and a San Francisco squad eager to get back to the playoffs. Prediction: Loss (1-1) Week 3 at Seattle Seahawks This is going to be a great litmus test for the Saints, going on the road to play a game in a hostile environment against another team that didn't make the playoffs last year. The Seahawks do have a new-look offense of their own and they've juiced up their defense. If the Saints can hang with them, it'll be very encouraging. If they fall short, we'll know to settle in for a long season. Prediction: Loss (1-2) Week 4 at Buffalo Bills Having to fly back home from Seattle before traveling to Buffalo the next week is brutal. That the Bills are a Super Bowl contender led by an MVP-caliber quarterback makes it even tougher. This is the toughest game on the Saints' schedule and they'll need a lot of help to show they can compete with one of the league's best teams. Prediction: Loss (1-3) Week 5 vs. New York Giants This should be a much-needed breather after a couple of tough road games; the Giants are in just as bad of shape as the Saints, but they do have a couple of viable quarterbacks. These teams should take the field on equal footing, and I like the Saints' homefield advantage to make a difference. Can they build on the momentum from a win? Prediction: Win (2-3) Week 6 vs. New England Patriots It's going to take some time for Mike Vrabel's staff to get Drake Maye up to speed, and they might be hitting their groove by Week 6. That could be true for Moore and the Saints, too, whether it's Shough or Spencer Rattler starting under center. The Patriots' roster is still being rebuilt (just like New Orleans) so we'll take the home team this week, even if it's close. Prediction: Win (3-3) Week 7 at Chicago Bears The Bears could be a problem this year. First-year head coach Ben Johnson has invested heavily in the offensive line responsible for keeping Caleb Williams clean. He brought in Dennis Allen to get the Chicago defense right, too. It would be great to get a win on the road here but too many factors are going in the Bears' favor. Prediction: Loss (3-4) Week 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Saints' first divisional game in 2025 is going to be a doozy; Tampa Bay still hasn't separated themselves from the pack in the NFC South, but their offseason upgrades could make a difference. If nothing else their greater experience playing meaningful football in Prediction: Loss (3-5) Week 9 at Los Angeles Rams The Rams are just too far ahead of the Saints right now, having taken the time to stack up talent and cultivate an experienced coaching staff. These teams have different goals in 2025 and it would be a big (and welcome) surprise if the Saints can pull off an upset. Prediction: Loss (3-6) Week 10 at Carolina Panthers This should be a winnable game against another also-bad NFC South team, but you never know. The Panthers have beaten the Saints in Carolina in three of the last four years. We'll see how much progress Bryce Young can make in another year with this coaching staff, but hometown advantage favors the Panthers. Prediction: Loss (3-7) Week 11 on bye This is right around the NFL trade deadline, so if the Saints have lost seven of their first ten games they might look into trading veterans like Demario Davis or Taysom Hill who could be moved to a contender. If nothing else a midseason bye week gives them an opportunity to reevaluate the roster and make some changes for the second leg of the schedule. Week 12 vs. Atlanta Falcons Here's a chance to upset a division rival. The Falcons are being overrated, like usual, with high expectations being put on second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. If Trevor Penning can take the next step at right tackle and hold up against their new pass rushers, the Saints could come out of the bye week and steal a win to end their losing streak. Prediction: Win (4-7) Week 13 at Miami Dolphins The Dolphins are a good team, especially when they're playing in sunny South Florida instead of a snowbound stadium in Buffalo or Kansas City. They have enough athletes on offense to give the Saints defense fits if we're still getting heavy snap counts from so many older pros. Prediction: Loss (4-8) Week 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers It brings me no pleasure to write this but the Bucs just look better than the Saints this year. They've drafted well, spent wisely in free agency, and have a lot of firepower on both sides of the ball. The question is whether they'll keep playing beneath their potential. Back-to-back Florida games in November is better than spending two weeks in Wisconsin or Illinois, but that's still going to be a challenge. Prediction: Loss (4-9) Week 15 vs. Carolina Panthers Here's another shake-back opportunity. The Panthers are always going to be a winnable matchup and the Saints have a shot at slapping them down in New Orleans after getting beaten on the road a few weeks earlier. If they get swept by Carolina, though? This season is lost. We'll pick the Saints to split the series with a win at home. Prediction: Win (5-9) Week 16 vs. New York Jets The Jets aren't aiming too high in the first year with Aaron Glenn at head coach, but they might surprise some people. We're guessing they're still closer to the team that went 5-12 last year than one ready to go 10-7. Playing this game in New Orleans, coming off a win over a division rival, should give the Saints some kind of advantage. Prediction: Win (6-9) Week 17 at Tennessee Titans The Saints believed Cam Ward was the clear-cut QB1 in this draft class, and by season's end he should be firing on all cylinders and giving the Nashville home crowd something to cheer for. The Saints are never going to tank under Mickey Loomis, but a loss on the road to an up-and-comer isn't the worst thing for their draft positioning. Prediction: Loss (6-10) Week 18 at Atlanta Falcons Can the Saints ruin the Falcons' season with a last-minute win in Atlanta? They've done it before, and the Falcons don't have much of a homefield advantage to speak of. But their roster is further along than New Orleans' and I don't like the Saints to win this game. Let's get a good draft pick, know what we have in Moore's crew, and get ready for 2026. Prediction: Loss (6-11)
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New Orleans Saints 2025 schedule: Dates, times, TV channels for every game
New Orleans Saints 2025 schedule: Dates, times, TV channels for every game Here it is: the NFL has announced its 2025 regular season schedule, and it's looking like a tougher slate for the New Orleans Saints than we expected given their last-place finish in the NFC South last year. But now we know when and where every game will be played this season, so it's time to go to work. Can Kellen Moore, Brandon Staley and the all-new coaching staff get more out of this roster than what we saw from Dennis Allen and Klint Kubiak a year ago? Who is going to start at quarterback, and if it's Tyler Shough, will the rookie sink or swim? Is this the last ride for defensive stalwarts like Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, and Tyrann Mathieu? We've got plenty of questions but, for now, we're short on answers. Everything will be made clear in the fall. Buy New Orleans Saints tickets for 2025 New Orleans Saints preseason schedule 2025 Week 1: TBD TBD Week 2: TBD TBD Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos New Orleans Saints 2025 regular season schedule Buy New Orleans Saints tickets for 2025 NFL playoff schedule
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Syracuse Draft Choice Fadil Diggs May Fill A Critical Role For The Saints
The New Orleans Saints waited seven rounds of the NFL Draft to finally address their need at edge rusher. They did so with the number 254 overall pick late in the seventh round with edge rusher Fadil Diggs out of Syracuse University. Pass rush production was viewed as a major need for the Saints coming into the offseason. The team produced just 39 sacks last season, with a combined 17 from their edge rushers. Advertisement New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is expected to install a 3-4 base scheme, meaning that the Saints will also need more athleticism on the edge. Here's a closer look at how their second of two seventh-round picks might fit this system. Edge - Fadil Diggs, Syracuse Syracuse Orange defensive lineman Fadil Diggs brings down Cal Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Credit: Syracuse University Athletics A two-way star at Woodrow Wilson High School in New Jersey, Diggs committed originally to Texas A&M. He'd see the field little as a freshman in 2020. Over the next two years, he'd combine for 4 sacks and 8 stops for loss with 3 forced fumbles during the 2022 campaign. In 2023, Diggs was second on the Aggies with 11 tackles for loss while contributing 4 sacks. After that season, he'd transfer to Syracuse to finish his collegiate career. He had 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss with the Orange last year, leading Syracuse in both categories. Advertisement Too often relying on his speed and athleticism, Diggs must expand his go-to pass rush moves. He'll also need to develop counter moves, an area of weakness when his initial rush is stalled. Syracuse Orange edge rusher Fadil Diggs (10). Credit: Diggs struggled against double teams in college and often got pushed around at the point of attack. This was especially evident against the run, where he'll need to play with both better leverage to be a factor. An explosive first step and speed around the edge makes Diggs a handful as a pass rusher. Once the ball is in his sights, he shows a formidable closing burst to finish. His agile change-of-direction allows him to slip past heavy-footed blockers. Advertisement Diggs shows good recognition against the run and screen passes. Despite a slightly lean build at 6'4" and 257-Lbs., he has the strength to stack the edge and the hand movement to disengage and get into the play. Syracuse Orange defensive lineman Fadil Diggs (10) makes a tackle on Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Stephen Gosnell (12). Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images Diggs was mostly used as a rusher and in-the-box defender in college. However, he showed a good feel and nice mobility when asked to drop back into zone coverages. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's scheme requires athletic players on the edge. Diggs will likely be most effective as a stand-up rusher, but also has the versatility to play as a wide down lineman in a four-man front. Advertisement Fadil Diggs isn't necessarily expected to compete for a starting job. However, he could carve out a role as a situational pass rusher for a New Orleans team desperate for more disruption on opposing quarterbacks. Related: What UCLA Draft Pick Moliki Matavao Adds To The Saints Related: What Kansas Draft Choice Devin Neal Adds To Saints Offense Related: How Louisville Draft Pick Quincy Riley Fills A Saints Need Related: Why The Saints Targeted Oklahoma Linebacker Danny Stutsman In The Draft
