PFF Grades And Statistical Deep Dive Saints | NFL

Jamie UK • September 26, 2023

PFF Grades And Statistical Deep Dive Into The Saints Week 3 Loss Against The Packers

        There’s a lot to break down from the Saints loss to the Packers each week I take a look through the advanced statistics provided by PFF to see what nuggets I can find. Stats don’t tell the whole story of a game, but it does sometimes when given context give you so much useful info you wouldn’t realize about.

How the grades work:

A rainbow colored scale with the numbers 90 80 70 60 50 40 30

Top 5 Offensive Grades

A blurred image of a table showing the ranks of players

        Not surprising that Olave leads the Saints in PFF’s offensive grade, he was excellent again on Sunday and made some tough catches his Elite grade reflects that too. The rest of the grades I think reflect how dysfunctional the offense was on Sunday all 4 of the remaining top 5 were players who didn’t play the full complement of snaps, therefore fewer plays for PFF to grade unfavorably.


Bottom 5 Offensive Grades

A blurred image of a table showing the ranks of players

        Not surprised to see Landon Young grade out this low, he played very few snaps and lost quickly on a sack of Jameis Winston. Juwan Johnson continues his poor start to the start of the season (or at least PFF thinks so). It was clear Carr struggled in this game but he did hit some big throws (namely the one to Olave down the right sideline) so I'm surprised he was this low but this would imply PFF have seen a few warts that are not related to the protection here. Shaheed is a curious one but to point out his grade here won't include his punt return which would fall under PFF’s special teams grade which he scored 86.8 in the punt game and 58.8 in kickoffs. He continues regardless of PFF rating has performed far better as a punt returner than a kick returner and I'd like to see the Saints use someone else to return kick-offs (maybe Bowden), too many times Shaheed is choosing to return kicks and not make it back to the 25.


Top 5 Defensive Grades

A blurred image of a baseball player 's rank

        Lonnie Johnson Jr. leads the way for the defense, he was impactful in limited reps, he played all his 8 snaps at FS, didn’t surrender a catch, and had the interception. I thought Yiadom played really well considering he’s mainly been a special team player, I'll get into his coverage stats shortly. Encouraged to see Isaiah Foskey grade out well, I’ll be honest I didn’t notice him much in the game but PFF saw something.


Bottom 5 Defensive Grades

A table showing the ranks of the players

        Surprised to see Davis and Lattimore so low this is where I don’t massively agree with the grades. Both Davis and Lattimore didn’t give up much in coverage at all (Davis was targeted 6 times and gave up 2 catches for 12 yards, Davis wasn’t credited for a missed tackle either (it looked like he missed one the goal-line on the Jordan Love TD run) which usually dings the grade, so I don’t see why they are this low. More on Lattimore’s coverage shortly. Werner on the other hand struggled in coverage this game, he ended up being targeted 7 times giving up 7 catches for 69 yards and 3 first down conversations. Werner has been solid in this area so I don’t expect this to be a weekly occurrence.


Pressure Stats

Offense 

Trevor Penning- 1 pressures (1 QB hit). Pass Blocking Efficiency Score 98.7.

James Hurst- 2 pressures (2 hurries). Pass Blocking Efficiency Score 97.4.

Erik McCoy- 2 pressures (1 sack and 1 hurry). Pass Blocking Efficiency Score 96.1.

Cesar Ruiz- 0 pressures * only played 10 snaps. Pass Blocking Efficiency Score 100.

Ryan Ramczyk- 3 pressures (2 sacks, 1 hurry). Pass Blocking Efficiency Score 93.4.

Andrus Peat- 1 pressure (1 QB hit). Pass Blocking Efficiency Score 98.3.

Landon Young- 1 pressure (1 sack). Pass Blocking Efficiency Score 66.7. YUCK! Young only played 3 pass-blocking snaps.

** Pass Blocking Efficiency - A PFF Signature stat measuring pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with weighting toward sacks allowed.


        Watching live this looked like it was Penning’s best game from a pass-blocking perspective and the stats would back that up, the efficiency score is a particular improvement. From a stats perspective, this was the Saints O-line’s best game in pass pro, only giving up 10 total pressures, compared to 12 in week 2 and 15 in week 1. Of course, it still is and needs to be cleaned up otherwise QB injuries are going to continue to happen.


Defense

Cam Jordan- 3 pressures (3 hurries).

Bryan Bresee- 2 pressures (2 hurries).

Alontae Taylor- 2 pressures (1 sack and 1 hurry)

Demario Davis- 2 pressures (1 hit and 1 hurry)

Carl Granderson- 1 pressure (1 hurry)

Khalen Saunders- 1 pressure (1 hurry)

Nathan Shepherd- 1 pressure (1 hurry)

Tanoh Kpassagnon- 1 pressure (1 hurry)


        A poor week for the pass rush. Only generated 13 total pressures against a GB line missing their starting LT and LG. The Saints generated 25 total pressures in week 2 and 23 in week 1. So, a big drop-off here and it showed in the game.  The lack of pass rush was a big reason for the Saints collapse in the fourth quarter. Jordan Love was only under pressure on 22% of his dropbacks, compared to week 1 where Ryan Tannehill was pressured on 42.5% and week 2 where Bryce Young was pressured on 48.7% of his dropbacks. That’s a big falloff for the D-line, we all had concerns about this unit entering the year I just hope that weeks 1 and 2 were the true reflection of this unit and not week 3.


Best of the rest 

Some other stats that jumped out:


  • The CBs had a really strong game in coverage overall (minus the penalties, I especially thought Yiadom’s was soft)
  • Alontae Taylor was targeted 11 times, he only surrendered 3 receptions but those 3 did go for 70 yards and all 3 were first downs. So definitely not perfect but to be targeted 11 times and only surrender 3 receptions is still a really strong showing, PFF had him credit for 5 forced incompletions and 3 PBUs. 
  • Yiadom had a similarly strong day in coverage he was targeted 10 times, surrendered only 4 catches for 30 yards, and did surrender 1 touchdown but his coverage was excellent on the play, the WR just made a heck of a catch, 3 PUBs. 
  • Lattimore wasn’t quite as elite as the first two weeks but still didn’t give up much. He was targeted 4 times and surrendered 2 catches for 24 yards, however, both catches surrendered were first downs.


Isaiah Foskey and Carl Granderson both had a good day against the run:

  • Foskey was only in on 4 running plays and had 2 defensive stops* equally a 50% stop rate
  • Granderson had 3 stops (tied for 9th most in week 3) on 20 running plays equalling a still very good 17.6% stop rate.



        The Saints had a good day rushing outside of both the tackles (outside zone?) runs. They rushed 3 times outside the LT for 19 yards (6.3 YPC) and 4 times outside the RT for 17 yards (4.3 YPC). This is a good omen with Alvin Kamara returning as these types of runs are usually a staple of his game.


Make sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @SaintsReportUK, for much more Saints content and discussion throughout the 2023 season and beyond.

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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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