Demario Davis and Tyrann Mathieu are well into their 30s but they’re still leading the New Orleans Saints defense with elite play.

The New Orleans Saints receive criticism, from time to time, for being an old football team. In 2023, they were the oldest team based on snaps played, and the criticism makes a bit of sense when you consider the fact the Saints haven’t been to the playoffs in three years, and they’re constantly in a battle with the salary cap.

But, in New Orleans’ defense, the franchise has some elite older players, and that can’t be denied. Sure, it may be time for the franchise to rebuild, but the only reason the Saints have been competitive in recent years is because of the play of their older players.

That’s especially the case on the defensive side of the ball, where the Saints are led by two of the best players in the league over 30. Recently, NFL writers Ali Bhanpuri, Tom Blair, Gennaro Filice, and Dan Parr ranked the 30 best players over 30 entering the 2024 season. New Orleans was represented on the list twice, with Demario Davis ranked No. 21 and Tyrann Mathieu ranked No. 24.

Demario Davis and Tyrann Mathieu ranked amongst best players over 30

For Demario Davis, Dan Parr praised the 35-year-old linebacker for his durability while leading a quality Saints defense every season. Parr detailed how conventional wisdom insists Davis should be slowing down, but instead, he’s playing his best football, making things very hard for opposing offenses.

“I know he might not have the flashiest game, but how many players are more reliably great than the Saints’ six-time team captain? He’s been the steady hand guiding a top-10 scoring defense in each of the last four years, and he’s a true iron man, missing only one game in his career. He’s played the sixth-most snaps of any defensive player since the start of the Next Gen Stats era (2016) and ranks third in tackles during that span (907).”

– Dan Parr on Demario Davis (NFL.com)

Tyrann Mathieu was also praised for his durability, with Gennaro Filice pointing out how impressive it is, especially since he’s considered an undersized safety. But, living up to his nickname, the Honey Badger has never let his size, age, or anything, hold him back.

“Quite simply one of the most unique defensive players in the NFL. Undersized with unremarkable speed and strength, Mathieu’s tangible skills leave plenty to be desired. But the intangibles — the instincts, tenacity, versatility and leadership — jump off the screen. The Honey Badger is a freakin’ DOG on the gridiron, offering transcendent playmaking ability. And despite the small stature and feisty play style that theoretically should be at odds with each other, Mathieu has become a model of durability, having eclipsed 1,000 snaps in each of the past seven seasons (playoffs included).”

– Gennaro Filice (NFL.com)

Going into the 2024 season, New Orleans will, once again, ask Mathieu and Davis to lead the defense. However, the Saints have gathered a nice amount of young talent defensively. With the veteran leadership, New Orleans has a chance to have an elite defense.