Pro Football Focus ranks Demario Davis in their top 50 players of 2024

Do the New Orleans Saints have a better player on their roster than Demario Davis? Maybe, depending on just how highly you value guys like Chris Olave or Marshon Lattimore, but Davis has the most convincing case of the bunch. You just don’t see many players performing as consistently as he does at such a high level so late in their careers.

So it’s not too surprising that Davis was the only Saint on this list of the NFL’s best 50 players of 2024 from Pro Football Focus. Here’s why PFF’s Sam Monson ranked him at No. 45 overall, third-best among all linebackers currently in the game:

At 35 years old, Demario Davis just continues to play elite-level football at linebacker for the Saints. Last season, he posted an 89.6 PFF overall grade, his best mark since 2019, racking up 48 defensive stops and missing only 11 tackles. He allowed an 89.3 passer rating when targeted in coverage, some 15 points lower than the average at the position.

Maybe this is the year Davis slows down. Maybe it isn’t. Either way, the Saints defense seems like it’ll go as far as he can lead them. He puts in a tremendous amount of work to maintain his body and remain in top condition, and the results speak for themselves. Davis is the one of two players to be recognized on the All-Pro teams every year for the last five seasons. He’s earned that reputation.

But he won’t be around forever. The Saints must develop star talent who can take on the leadership role Davis has held ever since he came to New Orleans back in 2018 — real playmakers who can take charge of a situation and help improve those around them. We’ve seen flashes of it from Olave, and when he’s healthy and locked in there isn’t a better cover corner than Lattimore. So far, though, there hasn’t been anyone in the black and gold who can keep pace with Davis. Let’s see if someone steps up in 2024.