NFL analyst links three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher with Saints in free agency

The New Orleans Saints amassed a grand total of 34 sacks this past season, so clearly, they are in need of some help with their pass rush.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports sees the Saints targeting Baltimore Ravens edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney in free agency this offseason.

Clowney enjoyed an impressive year with the Ravens in 2023, playing in every game and racking up 43 tackles, 9.5 sacks, a couple of forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and five passes defended.

The 31-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of South Carolina, was originally selected by the Houston Texans with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Injuries limited him to just four games during his rookie campaign, but the following year, Clowney appeared in 13 contests and logged 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Then, in 2016, Clowney made his first of three straight Pro Bowl appearances after registering 52 tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble.

During that stretch between 2016 and 2018, Clowney never reached double-digit sacks, but he topped out at 9.5 sacks to go along with 59 tackles, a couple of forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown in 2017.

After his five-year run with the Texans to begin his career, Clowney has become somewhat of a journeyman.

He spent one season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, posting 31 tackles, three sacks, an interception, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two defensive scores.

Clowney then linked up with the Tennessee Titans in 2020, where injuries limited him to eight games. He proceeded to join the Cleveland Browns for two years, highlighted by a solid bounceback campaign in 2021 where he tallied 37 tackles and nine sacks.

After a rough second season with the Browns in 2022, Clowney headed to Baltimore.

The Saints have a miserable salary cap situation, so we’ll see if they even have enough money to sign Clowney to a short-term deal in the coming weeks.