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Carl Granderson

Carl Granderson Player Profile

Summary

Carl Granderson went undrafted in the 2019 Class out of University of Wyoming. Granderson is a physical, well‑built edge defender who has steadily grown into a meaningful contributor in the NFL. His strengths lie in his blend of size, athleticism, and increasing production, especially in pass‑rush and run‑stop roles. His primary areas for further growth include refining his arsenal of moves, enhancing consistency, and elevating his performance against elite offensive linemen. With continued development, he can be a foundational piece of the Saints’ defensive front.

Strengths

  • Explosive burst & athletic edge‑rush ability: Granderson possesses good initial quickness off the line and can make plays in both the run game and pass rush. His career progression to 8.5 sacks in 2023 shows his ability to impact the backfield. New Orleans Saints

  • Length & size with functional frame: At 6′5″ and 261 lbs, with roughly 34″ arm length, he has the physical profile to engage blockers, reach into gaps, and use leverage. NFL.com

  • Consistency and durability when healthy: After working up from undrafted status, he developed into a full‑time starter role, beginning all 17 games in 2023 and showing growth year‑to‑year. New Orleans Saints

  • Strong run‑defense and gap discipline: While his primary value comes as a rusher, he’s demonstrated ability to set the edge, make tackles for loss, and not just be “one‑dimensional”. For instance, his 2024 season included 9 tackles for loss. New Orleans Saints

Weaknesses & Areas for Improvement

  • Pass‑rush move variety and elite‑level refinement: While his raw tools are good, some analyses suggest he still could expand his counter moves, finesse rushes, and consistency in winning against top offensive tackles. NewOrleans.Football

  • Consistency in production and finishing sacks: He has had strong single‑season numbers, but sustaining elite sack totals each year remains a challenge. Variability in production can be a concern. New Orleans Saints

  • Hand strength and engage‑blocker drills vs experienced blockers: Against veteran tackles and well‑coached linemen, his ability to dominate at the point of attack and sustain blocks may be tested.

  • Conversion to dominant every‑down edge in all situations: While effective, his ceiling may slightly trail the very top tier edge rushers unless he adds incremental improvements in explosiveness and technique.

Fit & Outlook

Granderson fits well as a “3‑4 style” or hybrid edge rusher who can play both stand‑up and hand‑in‑the‑dirt roles. His size, athleticism, and development trajectory make him a strong starter in the Saints’ defensive front, particularly in schemes emphasizing defensive line rotation and multiple fronts. Looking ahead, if he continues to evolve his pass‑rush repertoire, stays healthy, and maintains his growth path, his outlook is positive: he has the potential to be a high‑impact edge rusher for several seasons. At his best, he can be a consistent double‑digit sack player and key disruptor. His floor remains that of a reliable starter who contributes heavily in both run and pass defense.