The Saints are heading into Ford Field with a lot of moving parts, and Doug Joubert’s read on this Week 1 matchup makes one thing clear: New Orleans has enough pieces to make this interesting, but Detroit’s edge starts up front.
One of the biggest individual battles to watch is Saints offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. against Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Banks has already handled himself well in joint practices against the Jaguars, the Rams and the Cowboys, but Joubert said Hutchinson is operating on a different level. That makes this a real test for Banks, a second-year player, against Hutchinson’s athletic pass rush and his ability to stop the run.
The Saints also bring a young receiving group into the building, and Joubert pointed to that as another key area. Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele are expected to be the top two targets, while rookies Bryce Lance and Barion Brown have each shown they can hit a big play. Both can stretch the field, but that only works if the Saints’ offensive line can hold up against one of the best pass rushes in the game.
Joubert also offered a strong update on Chase Young, saying his transformation from the start of last season has been dramatic. He described Young as far more mature and said that growth has helped him become one of the captains on the team, something that would have seemed impossible four years ago.
Joubert credited Young for putting the responsibility on himself, but also gave defensive coordinator Brandon Staley a big share of the credit. In his view, Staley has helped Young and the rest of the defense improve not just as players, but as men.
Young, now in his second year in Staley’s scheme, has taken a step forward in both areas.
On the edge, the Saints’ unofficial depth chart had Cam Jordan OR Carl Granderson before Jordan’s hamstring injury during the week before the Rams preseason game. Joubert said the staff sees them as interchangeable.
Jordan, in 15 NFL seasons, has reached double-digit sacks six times, with his best year coming in 2019. In 2025, he posted 10.5 sacks, which Joubert called incredible for a player many thought was nearing the end.
Granderson has never reached 10 sacks in a season, but his production has climbed steadily since his first year, also in 2019, and he finished last year with 6 sacks.
Joubert also pointed to the bigger picture on the Saints roster, saying they made gains in several areas. Wide receiver was a clear upgrade after they drafted three players there.
At running back, Travis Etienne Jr. is now the lead option while Alvin Kamara deals with a “knee thing,” as Kellen Moore put it. At linebacker, Kaden Elliss has replaced Demario Davis, who went to the Jets, and the group is younger and faster.
The Saints are thin at cornerback, but safety play has improved dramatically.
Still, Joubert thinks this game comes down to the ground attack. He expects both teams to try to establish the run, and he believes the side that does it better will come out on top. Even so, he said Detroit should cover the 6.5-point spread against the Saints.
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Lions Suddenly Have A Week 1 Depth Concern Fans Should Watch
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Dan Campbell offered a cautious read on where things stand, and the overall tone sounded more hopeful than alarmed. Even so, any limited practice reps this late in the week are worth watching for a Detroit roster trying to get everyone lined up before Week 1, especially with a matchup against New Orleans approaching fast. [Read more 🡒]