Phillies place OF Brandon Marsh on injured list with right hamstring strain
The New Orleans Saints announced this week that Tanoh Kpassagnon tore his Achilles tendon early this spring. Kpassagnon has been able to play in a depth role since moving to New Orleans in 2021. The Saints defensive line has been one of the team’s poorer position groups, but Kpassagnon has routinely delivered when called upon. What should the Saints do now that he’ll be out for the foreseeable future?
Free Agency
Even though it is late in the offseason, a surprising number of excellent free agents still available. If the Saints want to find a player to replace Tanoh Kpassagnon on defence, they’ll need a large defensive lineman who can get to the edge but will mostly play in the inside. Veteran Calais Campbell is the best choice among current free agents.
The former Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and, most recently, Atlanta Falcons defensive end will enter his 17th season in the NFL. Campbell, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 300 pounds, has the potential to make an impact on the Saints’ current defensive line. He is a very good veteran presence who can play on the perimeter but can also drop into the interior and still produce. Campbell made 56 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and one safety in 17 games in 2023-24. This production would be a significant boost to the Saints, not simply a replacement for Tanoh Kpassagnon’s injury, but a noteworthy improvement.
Trust the current depth.
If the Saints want to continue their practice of saving money, the only other option is to believe in their depth. Although Kpassagnon’s injury reduces the depth of the defensive line, it allows the Saints to employ a “next man up” strategy. Because of this injury, the Saints will not have to find a starter to replace Kpassagnon, thus another depth player can fill in for him for the time being.
Payton Turner and Trajan Jeffcoat are two players who can fill this role. Payton Turner has been a draft pick who has not performed well for the Saints; but, if Turner can stay healthy this season, he can make significant contributions in the Kpassagnon role. Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Cameron Jordan are the current leading edge rushers. Payton Turner will be able to fill in for one of the three starting edge rushers stated earlier when they are removed from a play. Turner will be able to make a difference on the interior as well.
An undrafted free agent. Trajan Jeffcoat is more of an unknown, but his chances of making the roster could increase dramatically. If Jeffcoat can demonstrate the versatility and effect that Kpassagnon has demonstrated in New Orleans, he will make the roster. We could watch Jeffcoat learn from the men ahead of him on the depth chart while also making minor contributions during the season. As previously said, Jeffcoat will be expected to demonstrate this throughout practices, although it is unclear whether he will be able to do so.
Carl Granderson offers a third solution that focuses on the existing elements. Since signing in undrafted free agency, Granderson has been one of the team’s most underappreciated players. Granderson will have greater defensive line flexibility in 2024, thanks to the signing of Chase Young. This will be highly dependent on Young’s availability throughout the season. When healthy, Young will play on the perimeter, allowing Granderson to go into the interior. This opens up the possibility of using Granderson as Kpassagnon in additional plays. This may not be the ideal approach given how essential he has been on the edge, but it does provide another option for what the Saints could do in light of Kpassagnon’s injury.
Leave a Reply