Could Anthony Smith be an option for the Saints next year?
It’s only August, but it’s never too soon for some summer scouting. In this rendition, we’ll discuss Minnesota edge rusher Anthony Smith and his potential fit with the New Orleans Saints. Although they have talent on the defensive line, Smith’s frame, production, and strength against the run make him an impactful player who could carve out a role early in his career.
Former second-overall pick Chase Young and veteran Cameron Jordan highlight the Saints' defensive line. Each is coming off 10+ sack seasons and is poised to have another productive year. However, Jordan is possibly entering his final season, and the Saints must begin thinking about his replacement. As a result, they may take an edge rusher early in the 2027 NFL Draft. If they do, Anthony Smith is an intriguing option.
Before we dive into Smith’s scouting report, it’s vital to remember the goal of summer scouting. It isn’t intended to be a finalized report saying the Saints must draft someone. Plenty will change about a prospect throughout the year. Instead, it’s meant to identify talented players who could resurface next offseason. So, Smith isn’t a perfect prospect, but he’s someone that Saints fans should watch during the year. Who knows, maybe he ends up in the black and gold next April.
Having said that, Anthony Smith is an uber-talented player who combines an NFL-level frame with staggering production, making him an enticing target. The six-foot-six, 285-pound redshirt senior is coming off an impressive season with 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 44 pressures. His performance earned him a spot on the second-team AP All-Big 10 roster. Now, he’s poised for another impactful year that could vault him into early day-two discussions.
Smith’s calling card is his dominance against the run. He has an amazing anchor, which makes him immovable in one-on-one situations. He thrives at setting edge, becoming immovable, and forcing the running back into the meat of the defense, where his other teammates await. He may not always get the tackle, but he directly impacts every play that’s run on his side.
Smith’s ceiling as a pass rusher is limited because of his lack of elite burst and explosiveness. Additionally, he still relies primarily on his bull-rush rather than a variety of rush moves. Still, he has violent hand usage and staggering lower-body strength that lets him bully opposing linemen when he reaches their chest with leverage, oftentimes pushing them back into the quarterback. Because of this, he likely won’t reach 10+ sacks in the NFL, but he will still be a dangerous player who can reach the quarterback in certain situations.
These aforementioned qualities make Anthony Smith a high-floor prospect who will have a role in every NFL defense. If Cameron Jordan retires next offseason, don’t be surprised to hear some rumors about the Saints' interest in Smith.
