The New Orleans Saints didn't address the edge rusher position early in the 2025 NFL draft, but they did bring in a veteran to bolster that unit.
The Saints announced Monday afternoon that they had signed former Chargers DE Chris Rumph to a 1-year deal. Rumph played the last four seasons for L.A. after being selected in the 4th round of the 2021 draft, with new Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley serving as his head coach for the first three of those seasons.
Rumph, listed at 6-2, 244 pounds, has appeared in 37 games while logging 29 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 TFLs, a fumble recovery and 10 special teams tackles. He spent the entirety of the 2024 season on injured reserve due to a foot injury.
The addition brings in a player who can help the Saints transition to Staley's scheme, which is expected to be a 3-4 base, a significant change from what had been run previously. In addition to Rumph, the Saints drafted Syracuse edge rusher Fadil Diggs with their final pick of this year's draft (254) and a pair of UDFA edge rushers in Jasheen Davis out of Wake Forest, and Omari Thomas out of Tennessee. The team also agreed to terms earlier in the offseason with Jonah Williams and inked Chase Young to a three-year extension.
The Rumph signing means the Saints will be up to 93 players total once they sign their nine-man draft class, meaning they will have to make some corresponding moves to clear roster spots. The Saints do retain a 91st spot for kicker Charlie Smyth as an international player.
We'll next see the Saints on the field when they hold a rookie minicamp in May, then when the first of three OTA sessions kicks off in mid-May.
