Carl Granderson

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		105	34.5	299	44
2025		17	6.0	57	7.5
2024		17	5.5	61	8.5
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

New Orleans Saints got a B- Contract Value Index out of the Carl Granderson signing because the guaranteed money matches the production tier. At $13M AAV across four years, Granderson earns a fair-market rate for a solid rotational pass rusher—not the premium you'd pay for an elite edge threat, and not the discount of a depth piece either. His 2025 season totals of 57 tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 INT across 17 games validate that positioning: productive, occasionally explosive (the red-zone interception against Atlanta proved his football intelligence), but ultimately inconsistent, as the "cooling off" narrative that emerged mid-season suggests. At 29 years old and seven seasons into his career, Granderson sits squarely in his veteran prime window, and the Saints' recent restructure—which saved the organization $8.59M in cap space—reflects genuine confidence in his reliability going forward; the contract itself carries no exotic guarantees, just straightforward veteran compensation tied to proven, if unspectacular, production. The CVI lands at B- precisely because the deal avoids both traps: it neither overpays a borderline second-tier contributor nor undervalues a 7-year vet with a track record of 34.5 career sacks and tangible high-leverage moments. In the context of a 6-11 Saints team pursuing roster stability through defensive line depth signings, Granderson represents the kind of mid-tier anchor you build around during a recalibration phase—valuable, but not transformational.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Carl's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Carl Granderson delivers production that earns a B performance grade against DE comps. The 29-year-old seven-year veteran posted 57 tackles and 6 sacks over 17 games in the 2025 season, marking him as a reliable rotational pass rusher operating in the second tier of edge defenders rather than at an elite level. His standout moment came via a red-zone interception against Atlanta that demonstrated football intelligence beyond pure rush metrics, but the season narrative ultimately centered on inconsistency—opening strong enough to earn Saints Player of the Day recognition before cooling as the year progressed. Granderson proved durable, appearing in all 17 games, which underscores his value as a steady contributor in a Saints defensive scheme that's been adding complementary pieces along the defensive line this offseason. At this stage of his career, he operates as a solid starter whose production hinges on consistency rather than upside; his willingness to restructure his contract in the organization's favor reflects a veteran who understands his role and prioritizes team success. Heading into 2026, Granderson remains a dependable second-tier edge rusher, but sustaining the early-season form that briefly captured attention will be essential to proving the restructure was a mutual vote of confidence rather than a farewell gesture.

How Carl Compares at the Position

Carl Granderson ranks 22nd of 147 graded defensive ends by performance. That slots Carl between George Karlaftis (B+) just ahead and Samson Ebukam (B) just behind.

Current Sentiment

New Orleans Saints fans and writers have settled into a B sentiment grade on Carl Granderson. The narrative around the 29-year-old edge rusher reflects genuine appreciation for a veteran who delivers consistent production without pretense—his willingness to restructure his deal to save the organization $8.59 million in cap space has earned widespread praise as a leadership move that puts team success first, and his mid-2025 performance, including a highlight-reel red-zone interception against Atlanta and Saints Player of the Day recognition, demonstrated both his football intelligence and reliability in high-leverage moments. However, the perception has tempered somewhat as the season wore on, with media noting a cooling-off trend after his strong start, suggesting he operates as a solid second-tier contributor rather than an elite force—his 2025 season totals of 57 tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 INT across 17 games align with that profile of productive but unspectacular play. The Saints' recent defensive line moves—signing DT Christen Miller and maintaining the effective partnership with Chase Young—frame Granderson as a dependable rotational piece rather than a franchise cornerstone, which is how the fanbase and beat writers have come to view him: valued, respected for his consistency, but not a primary draw. The overall sentiment remains cautiously optimistic heading into 2026, rooted in proven reliability and veteran professionalism rather than explosive upside.