Saunders arrives as a veteran interior disruptor with run-stuffing chops and playoff pedigree, giving Jacksonville a trusted anchor in the middle. His presence should bolster the Jaguars’ ability to hold the ground against double-teams and free others for early-pressure opportunities, especially in run-heavy matchups.

Saunders, 29, 324 pounds, two-time Super Bowl champion with Kansas City, joined New Orleans after KC and NO stints. He posted 37 tackles and 2 sacks in 2024 with NO and ripped off a 37-yard interception return, illustrating rare mobility for his size and a high-floor run-stopping presence inside.

Saunders, a Saints DT, started for New Orleans in prior seasons but faced a slight dip in run defense last year (49.2 PFF). He was active in a preseason game against Jacksonville, signaling he might have been auditioning for the Jaguars. The trade shifts interior DL dynamics for both teams, creating a clearer path for Fortner to anchor the Saints’ interior line while Jacksonville gains a veteran to stabilize their defensive front.

Saunders landed with Jacksonville from New Orleans to anchor the interior, bringing 6.5 career sacks and 181 tackles with a track record of contributing as a run-stopper and occasional big play, aided by his two Chiefs Super Bowl titles. His preseason start against Jacksonville showed he was ready to contribute, and his size and experience are expected to stabilize the Jaguars' interior line while Armstead slides inside.

Saunders arrives as a developing interior disruptor for New Orleans, adding run-stuffing depth behind the Saints’ interior linemen. His arrival in Jacksonville via the Fortner trade highlights the Saints’ focus on interior pressure and growing rotational depth to complement their defensive front.