The New Orleans Saints officially kick off their 59th NFL season with their regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on September 7. That is only 96 days from today.
Wearing the number 96 for the Saints this year is defensive end/edge rusher Carl Granderson. An undrafted signing out of Wyoming in 2019, this will be Granderson's seventh season with the team.
Here's a look at all the players that have worn 96 during a regular season game throughout New Orleans Saints history.
Saints History of 96
Nov 25, 2007, Carolina Panthers quarterback David Carr (8) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Antwan Lake (96). Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Nov 25, 2007, Carolina Panthers quarterback David Carr (8) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Antwan Lake (96). Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
• Steve Parker, DE (1980)
• Don Thorp, DT (1984)
• Sheldon Andrus, DT (1986-87)
• Michael Simmons, DE (1989-90)
• Jeff Faulkner, DE (1993)
• Dameian Jeffries, DE (1995)
• Uhuru Hamiter, DE (1999)
• Melvin Williams, DE (2003)
• Antwan Lake, DT (2006-08)
• Alex Brown, DE (2010)
• Tom Johnson, DT (2011-13)
• Woodrow Hamilton, DT (2017)
• Carl Granderson, DE (2019-present)
October 24, 2010; Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is pressured by New Orleans Saints defensive end Alex Brown (96). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook - Imagn Images
October 24, 2010; Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is pressured by New Orleans Saints defensive end Alex Brown (96). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook - Imagn Images
Parker was the first to put on 96 for the Saints during the 1980 season. It wasn't until Simmons in 1990 that a player actually wore the number for an entire 16-game season. In fact, Parker, Thorp, Andrus, Faulkner, Jeffries, Hamiter, and Hamilton were with the Saints for a combined 21 games.
Lake was the first number 96 to make any kind of significant contribution. He appeared in 41 games over three seasons with the team and had 2 sacks with 4 stops for loss. Brown had a solid 2017 in his only year as a Saint with 2 sacks, 7 QB hits, and 6 tackles for loss. Johnson's contributions were 5 sacks, 15 QB hits, and 8 tackles for loss in 40 games over three years.
Granderson is far and away the best Saints player to sport the number 96. He got his career off to a slow start but still showed potential as a part-time player. In his first four seasons as a rotational pass rusher, Granderson had 14.5 sacks, 42 pressures, 28 QB hits, and 19 tackles for negative yardage.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96). Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96). Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Over the last two years, Granderson has made a strong argument as the team's most disruptive defensive force. In that span he's had 14 sacks, 60 pressures, 33 QB hits, and 23 tackles for loss.
Heading into 2025 and in a new defensive scheme under coordinator Brandon Staley, Granderson is expected to be a vital part of any success the Saints have on that side of the ball.