Week 11 has the New Orleans Saints on their bye. The Saints are coming off a 17-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers on the road last Sunday to send them into their bye with a 2-8 record. It was the first victory for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, but one largely earned by the Saints defense.
New Orleans has been inconsistent on the defensive side under new coordinator Brandon Staley this year. However, it’s a unit that is far more effective than the team’s offense. Entering Week 11, the Saints ranked 13th in total defense. This includes 21st against the run but 9th against the pass. The main goal for this defense over the last seven games will be continued improvements and more consistent performances.
Here were the biggest standouts on the defensive side through their first 10 outings. Honorable mentions go to Bryan Bresee, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Jonas Sanker, but these three players have been the most consistent performers for this defense so far in 2025.
Demario Davis
With 91 total tackles currently, Davis is about to cross the 100-tackle mark for the ninth straight year and 11th time in a spectacular 14-year career. More than just a tackling machine, Davis remains one of the NFL’s best off-ball linebackers. So far in 2025, he has 5 stops for loss, 3 passes broken up, 2 fumbles forced, and an interception that was called back on a questionable penalty.
At 36, the end of Davis’ career is quickly approaching. However, he’s proving that he still has a lot of quality football left. His elite anticipation and instincts always have him in position to make a play, while his relentless pursuit and leadership has been a beacon for the entire defense.
Quincy Riley
Riley is the choice in the secondary because of the way he upgraded this unit once finally inserted into the lineup. The rookie fourth round choice has an interception, 5 passes broken up, a forced fumble, and 60% completion percentage when targeted. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that opposing offenses have often targeted Kool-Aid McKinstry or other areas of the secondary over Riley.
Arguably the most consistent cover corner on the defense so far this season, Riley has shown surprising poise for a rookie. He has all the tools necessary for continued success and has been equally effective in both man and off-ball responsibilities. Paired with fellow rookie Jonas Sanker at safety and McKinstry, who is having an underrated season, the Saints have a young trio of defensive backs that have made this unit the most effective on the entire team.
Chase Young
Bryan Bresee has had his moments, Cam Jordan has shown that he has some quality football left, Carl Granderson got off to a torrid start, and Nathan Shepherd has come on recently. Even with that and Davis, Young has been the most consistently disruptive member of the front seven. It took five games for Young to even get on the field because of a calf injury. Once he did, a strong argument can be made that he’s played the best football of his six-year career.
Young has 3 sacks, 6 QB hits, a forced fumble, 3 tipped passes, and a team-best 15 pressures in just five games. He’s also shown improvement against the run and has been an excellent fit in Brandon Staley’s system as a stand-up pass rusher. Yes, Young must still do a better job at finishing off plays, but he’s showing that the Saints made a wise move by signing him to a lucrative three-year contract extension last offseason.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Standouts at the bye week: Saints defense game balls after 10 games
