The New Orleans Saints biggest priority heading into the offseason was to revamp their defensive line. They were able to restructure veteran defensive end Cam Jordan’s contract in order to get under the cap threshold. Jordan is entering the final year of his contract heading into the 2023 season. Other notable defensive ends on the depth chart are Payton Turner, Carl Granderson and Tanoh Kpassagnon. The Saints lost Marcus Davenport to free agency and that makes New Orleans very thin at the position. New Orleans will look towards the 2023 NFL Draft, especially in the first round, by looking for a dynamic pass rusher. Here are some of the top prospects the black and gold should be looking at the top of the draft:

Myles Murphy, Clemson

Myles Murphy warms up prior to facing off against Pitt

Clemson DE Myles Murphy (98) – Ken Ruinard/USA Today Sports

Myles Murphy stepped onto the scene at Clemson during his freshman season in 2020. During the 2020 season, Murphy was named ACC Co-Newcomer of the Year by several media outlets. Murphy was credited with 51 tackles (including a team-high 12.0 for loss), 4.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pass breakup. He would continue to improve his game heading into the sophomore season as he was selected as a second-team All-ACC selection.

In 2021, Murphy was credited with 43 tackles, a team-high 14.0 tackles for loss, team-best 7.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. The Clemson product would be a leader of the defensive front for the Tigers and he would be consistent throughout his collegiate career. In his final season at Clemson, Murphy was a first-team All-ACC selection and a second-team All-ACC honoree. During the 2022 season, Murphy recorded 45 tackles (11.0 for loss), a team-high-tying 6.5 sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

BJ Ojulari, LSU

BJ Ojulari makes a tackles on Devon Achane

LSU DE BJ Ojulari (18) – Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports

BJ Ojulari showed throughout his collegiate career at LSU that he can play multiple positions on defense, including defensive end and linebacker. During his freshman season in 2020, Ojulari was able to make an instant impact on the Tiger defensive front. Ojulari added 16 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss on the year. He was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against South Carolina. Against the Gamecocks, Ojulari recorded four tackles and three sacks in the win against South Carolina.

Ojulari continued to be a difference-maker and would quickly become a leader on the defensive side of the ball. In 2021, he would lead all defensive lineman with 55 tackles. The Marietta, Georgia native would also lead the Tigers with in sacks with 7.0 and ranked second on the team in tackles for loss with 11.5. Heading into the 2022 season, there was high expectations for Ojulari and a talented LSU defensive line. Ojulari would have one of his best seasons at LSU during 2022 as he racked up 58 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Will McDonald IV, Iowa State

Will McDonald IV - Football - Iowa State University Athletics

Iowa State DE Will McDonald IV (9) – Iowa State University Athletics

Will McDonald IV had three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble during his freshman campaign in 2018. He appeared in just four games in his debut season at Iowa State, but he was able to use his redshirt. McDonald IV began the season at linebacker in 2019 before switching to defensive end. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native posted 15 tackles and 6.0 sacks during the 2019 season.

McDonald IV would start to earn more reps on the defensive line as he appeared in all 12 games for the Cyclones. He would quickly develop into one of the nation’s top best pass rushers as he finished the 2020 season with 10.5 sacks, 33 tackles and two forced fumbles. During the 2020 season, McDonald IV would earn first-team All-Big 12 honors and was named as a Ted Hendricks Award semifinalist. The Iowa State product continued to excel his game heading into the 2021 season where he recorded 11.5 sacks, 36 tackles and three pass breakups.

In 2022, McDonald IV would start in all 12 games for the Cyclones and would continue to be a menace coming off of the edge. McDonald IV finished the year with 36 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hurries, four pass broken up, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Zach Harrison, Ohio State

Ohio State defensive lineman Zach Harrison plays against Penn State

Ohio State DE Zach Harrison (9) – Associated Press

Zach Harrison stepped onto the scene at Ohio State heading into his debut season in 2019. Harrison appeared in all 14 games and helped the Buckeyes reach the College Football Playoff semifinal against Clemson. In the 2019 Big Ten Championship game against Maryland, Harrison had four tackles and a sack. Harrison would continue to earn more starts on the defensive line heading into his sophomore season in 2020.

The Lewis Center, Ohio native earned a start against Penn State on the season and he appeared in seven games during a shortened 2020 season. Harrison would be named as a second-team All-Big Ten in 2020 by coaches around the conference. Heading into the 2021 season, Harrison would be able to continue his momentum as he started in 11 games for the Buckeyes. He would record a career-high six tackles against Purdue. In 2021, Harrison recorded 8.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two quarterback hurries.

In his final season with Ohio State in 2022, Harrison had a career-high 19.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 quarterback sacks. Harrison quickly became one of the most experienced pass rushers on the Buckeye roster and he became a force for Ohio State’s defense.