At 37 years old, Demario Davis isn’t just defying time - he’s dominating it. The veteran linebacker just wrapped up his 14th NFL season, and according to Pro Football Focus, he was the New Orleans Saints’ top defensive performer in 2025. Davis earned an impressive 80.3 grade from PFF, which placed him not only at the top of the Saints' defense but also fifth among all NFL linebackers who played at least half of their team’s snaps.
That’s not just a good season - that’s elite consistency from a player deep into his third NFL decade. Davis led the Saints with a career-high 143 tackles, good for 12th in the league, and showed no signs of slowing down.
He also chipped in six tackles for loss and forced two fumbles, all while logging a team-high 1,079 defensive snaps. That’s a workload most players in their prime would be proud of, let alone someone pushing 40.
To put that 80.3 PFF grade into perspective: anything between 70 and 84.9 is considered a solid starting-caliber performance. Davis sat comfortably in the upper tier of that range - a testament to his impact and reliability. He may not have cracked the Pro Bowl level (85+), but he was right on the doorstep.
Behind Davis, the Saints’ pass rush was anchored by defensive ends Chase Young and Cam Jordan. Young posted a 78.0 grade, while Jordan wasn’t far behind at 76.0. The duo also led the team in sacks - Jordan with 10.5 and Young with 10.0 - giving New Orleans a potent one-two punch off the edge.
In the secondary, second-year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry led the way with a 69.5 grade. He also paced the team with three interceptions, showing flashes of the ball-hawking ability that made him a high draft pick. While his grade suggests there’s still room to grow, McKinstry’s playmaking instincts are starting to translate at the pro level.
Among the rookies, linebacker Danny Stutsman stood out with a 71.5 grade - the highest among the Saints' first-year defenders. Though he played just 205 snaps, Stutsman made the most of his opportunities and could be in line for a bigger role moving forward. Fellow rookies Jonas Sanker (62.4) and Quincy Riley (61.1) showed some promise, but their grades suggest they’re still finding their footing at the NFL level.
On the interior defensive line, it was a tougher year. Bryan Bresee finished with the lowest grade on the defense at 52.9.
Veterans Davon Godchaux (50.5) and Jonah Williams (41.6) also struggled, though both played limited snaps. The Saints will likely be looking for more consistency and disruption from that group heading into next season.
Overall, the Saints’ defense had its bright spots - led by the ageless Davis and a pair of productive edge rushers - but also areas that need shoring up, especially on the interior and in the secondary. Still, with Davis continuing to play at such a high level, the heart of the defense remains in very capable hands.