Skip to main content

New Orleans Saints

Advertising

Saints News | New Orleans Saints | NewOrleansSaints.com

Five things to know about New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders

Played offense and defense in college, had rushing and receiving touchdowns

Mar 17, 2023 at 02:22 PM

John DeShazier

Senior Writer

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Five things to know about New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders.

Saunders-Khalen

Khalen Saunders

#99 DT

Height: 6-0
Weight: 324 lbs
College: Western Illinois

Received only one Division I scholarship offer, from Western Illinois. Played offense and defense there, and recorded a rushing and receiving touchdown.
He and his wife have a daughter who was born in 2019 while he was at the Senior Bowl.
Helped Kansas City win two Super Bowls, including the most recent one, Super Bowl LVII against Philadelphia. He had two tackles and a sack in the 38-35 victory.
Had 3.5 of his career 4.5 sacks last season. Also had career high 48 tackles, three tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits in 2022.
Started five of 38 games in four seasons with the Chiefs.

Related Links

Khalen Saunders joins the New Orleans Saints | Meet the Team Photos

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Thumbnail-LogoBlk-2560x1440-050118

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

1 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

David J. Phillip/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

2 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Reed Hoffmann/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

3 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Peter Aiken/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

4 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Alex Menendez/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

5 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Ed Zurga/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

6 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Ed Zurga/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

7 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Reed Hoffmann/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

8 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Rick Scuteri/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

9 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

10 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Bart Young/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

11 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Matt Patterson/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

12 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Reed Hoffmann/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

13 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Ed Zurga/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

14 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Peter Aiken/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

15 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Reed Hoffmann/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

16 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Reed Hoffmann/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

17 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

David Becker/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

18 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Rick Scuteri/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

19 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

David Becker/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

20 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Rick Scuteri/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

21 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

John Locher/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

22 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Reed Hoffmann/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

23 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Ben Liebenberg/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

24 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Brynn Anderson/AP Images

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

25 / 25

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on Friday, March 17, 2023. Check out Khalen in action with the Kansas City Chiefs during his NFL career.

Ross D. Franklin/AP Images

Advertising

This Ad will close in 3

Related Content

Five Things to Know about Saints wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown

St. Brown is the brother of Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown

Five Things to Know about Saints quarterback Kellen Mond

Texas A&M career passing leader to suit up in black and gold

Five Things to Know about Saints linebacker Khaleke Hudson

Linebacker joins Saints after four years as special teams fixture for Washington

New Orleans Saints agree to terms with linebacker Khaleke Hudson

Four-year NFL veteran was originally selected by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round (162nd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan

Kicker Charlie Smyth received NFL reply he sought from New Orleans Saints

'Now it's just about getting a starting spot. That's what I want, that's what I'm here for'

Five Things to Know about Saints kicker Charlie Smyth

Newry, Ireland native joins Saints from NFL's International Player Pathway program

New Orleans Saints sign kicker Charlie Smyth

Former Gaelic football goalkeeper joins Saints from International Player Pathway program

New offensive system should be a fit for New Orleans Saints roster

'That system is something that I think has done really well in our league, for a long period of time'

New Orleans Saints Coach Dennis Allen provides updates on Young, Jordan, Ramczyk

'(Ramcyzk) isn't quite where I was hoping he'd be, and really quite frankly, where he was hoping he'd be'

Super Bowl LIX preparations ahead of schedule

Lauscha: 'We do it well and I think we're going to continue to be in that (Super Bowl) rotation'

New Orleans Saints foresee productive, healthy Chase Young post-surgery

'He's a young player still with a lot of desire'

New Orleans Saints agree to terms with safety Johnathan Abram

In 2023, Abram appeared in nine games with three starts for the Saints, and recorded 24 tackles (14 solo), one interception, one pass defense and one forced fumble

Advertising