The New Orleans Saints have always had one or two good defensive players on each roster they have sent onto the field, and for much of the late 2010s, had an absolutely outstanding defense to go alongside late-career Drew Brees. With pieces in place to compete, they did just that for quite a few years before his retirement, and the defensive success they were able to produce gave Brees multiple good shots at another ring. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out in the end, but at the end of the day, the team found success.
One of the stats to look back on that reflects this is tackles for loss, as they have only been tracked officially since 1999, so for the Saints, it includes many of these specific players, as well as some from the mid-2000s defense, which had some good pieces. With that said, let’s take a look at the franchise leaders in tackles for loss:
20. DT Norman Hand (2000-2002): 21 tackles for loss in 44 games
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 15: Defensive tackle Norman Hand #99 of the New Orleans Saints stands on the field during the NFL game against the Green Bay Packers on September 15, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 35-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
19. LB Charlie Clemons (2001-2002): 22 tackles for loss in 32 games
NEW ORLEANS – DECEMBER 1: Charlie Clemons #56 of the New Orleans Saints recovers a fumble against the Tampa Bay Buccanneers during the first half of the game on December 1, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Buccanneers 23-20. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
18. S Kenny Vaccaro (2013-2017): 23 tackles for loss in 68 games
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 27: Kenny Vaccaro #32 of the New Orleans Saints returns a interception during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 27, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 49-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
17. LB Scott Shanle (2006-2012): 25 tackles for loss in 42 games
NEW ORLEANS – NOVEMBER 30: Scott Shanle #58 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a defensive stop against the New England Patriots at Louisana Superdome on November 30, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
16. DT Sheldon Rankins (2016-2020): 25 tackles for loss in 63 games
Sep 29, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) is blocked by Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
15. DE Marcus Davenport (2018-2022): 25 tackles for loss in 63 games
Jan 2, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
14. LB Jonathan Vilma (2008-2013): 26 tackles for loss in 70 games
Feb 7, 2010; Miami, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma (51) in action against the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
13. LB Darrin Smith (2000-2004): 27 tackles for loss in 64 games
17 Dec 01: Kurt Warner #13 of the St. Louis Rams gets hit by Darrin Smith #54 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half of the St. Louis Rams at New Orleans Saints game at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Digital Image Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones/ALLSPORT
12. DE Joe Johnson (1994-2001): 27 tackles for loss in 106 games
10 Sep 2000: Joe Johnson #94 of the New Orleans Saints looks down the bench during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Saints defeated the Chargers 28-27.Mandatory Credit: Jeff Gross /Allsport
11. DT David Onyemata (2016-2022): 28 tackles for loss in 106 games
Sep 25, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (93) gets ready for the play against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
10. DE Junior Galette (2010-2014): 34 tackles for loss in 64 games
Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Junior Galette (93) celebrates a sack against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) in the fourth quarter at Cowboys Stadium. The Saints beat the Cowboys 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
9. S Roman Harper (2006-2016): 38 tackles for loss in 124 games
NEW ORLEANS – AUGUST 16: Safety Roman Harper #41 of the New Orleans Saints lifts his helmet during a stoppage in play while taking on the Houston Texans during a pre-season game at Louisiana Superdome on August 16, 2008 in New Orleans Louisiana. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
8. DE Willie Whitehead (1999-2006): 40 tackles for loss in 105 games
CORRECTED VERSION: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Doug Johnson (11) is sacked by New Orleans defensive end Willie Whitehead (C) on the one yard line during the first quarter in New Orleans December 17, 2000. New Orleans linebacker Keith Mitchell (59) is sent flying on a block by an unidentified Atlanta player. The Saints won 23-7, clinching a playoff berth, their first since 1992. DRM
7. DT La’Roi Glover (1997-2001): 41 tackles for loss in 79 games
4 Nov 2001: La”Roi Glover of the New Orleans Saints reacts during the game against the New York Jets at Lousiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Jets beat the Saints 16-9. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/Allsport
6. DE Carl Granderson (2019-present): 42 tackles for loss in 88 games
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 08: Carl Granderson #96 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a tackle for a loss during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
5. DE Darren Howard (2000-2005): 57 tackles for loss in 81 games
29 Oct 2000: Defensive end Darren Howard #93 of the New Orleans Saints is pushing with tackel Anthony Clement #65 during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
4. DE Charles Grant (2002-2009): 66 tackles for loss in 118 games
Oct. 26, 2008; London, ENGLAND; New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant (94) bats the ball to force a punt during the third quarter of a regular season NFL International Series game against the San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
3. LB Demario Davis (2018-present): 72 tackles for loss in 114 games
Oct 16, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) reacts to sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (not shown) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
2. DE Will Smith (2004-2012): 85 tackles for loss in 139 games
Dec 30, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Jonathan Vilma (51) celebrates with teammates defensive end Will Smith (91) and New defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) after scoring a touchdown on an interception off Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (not pictured) during second quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
1. DE Cameron Jordan (2011-present): 160 tackles for loss in 226 games
Sep 18, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) stares at Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and reacts to a play during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Who are the top 20 Saints franchise leaders in tackles for loss?