The Saints are playing inspired football.
The Saints are dashing the hopes of their division rivals with back-to-back wins over Tampa Bay and Carolina. Tyler Shough has been money in "clutch time," Chris Olave has looked every bit the part of a number one receiver, and the defense has stood tall in big moments. Kellen Moore has this team's buy-in and they haven't stopped competing. The Saints aren't turning the page into draft season.
Here are the highest and lowest graded Saints players, according to Pro Football Focus.
Offense: WR Devaughn Vele (89.0) & WR Mason Tipton (46.7)
Devaughn Vele has been a revelation down the stretch. Sunday's output was on par with his current hot streak with five catches for 83 yards on six targets. Vele was graded as with the highest receiving grade (89.6), but the concern is with his shoulder injury. Nick Underhill has been told Vele avoided a long-term injury, which is good news.
Of Vele's 293 receiving yards, 202 (!!) have come in the last three weeks. The former Bronco receiver has turned the corner with Shough under center.
It's not all good news for the Saints receivers, Mason Tipton finished with one catch on two targets and a team-low offensive (46.7) and fumble (15.5) grade. His playing time increased with Vele leaving the game, but PFF was unkind to Tipton.
Other notable Saints include QB Tyler Shough (80.6), LT Kelvin Banks, Jr (76.5), WR Chris Olave (70.4), and RG Cesar Ruiz (68.8).
Defense: EDGE Cameron Jordan (81.1) & DT Nathan Shepherd (43.1)
It was a throwback performance for the lifetime Saint. Jordan totaled three pressures, three hurries, and finished with the highest pass rushing grade (78.1). While it was Chase Young who notched the biggest sack of the game, Jordan was efficient on his 13 pass rushing snaps. The veteran posted a 40% win rate in true pass sets (no play action or screens) and generated a pressure and hurry. Unc still got it.
Here is the interesting portion of the grading process for PFF. Defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd generated four pressures, three hurries, and a QB hit on 23 pass rushing snaps. In true pass sets, Shepherd generated three pressures, a QB hit, and two hurries. Sounds good, right? PFF graded Shepherd with a 57.7 pass rushing grade. Hard to understand how they got to that number.
Other notable Saints include FS Jonas Sanker (76.8), LB Demario Davis (75.2), CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (74.0), and CB Quincy Riley (72.4).