New Orleans Saints (Last Year: 9-8)
NFL Draft Team Grade:
A- GradeGoals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Saints have just two picks in the top 149, so they would be wise to trade down and accumulate more talent across the board. What they should really do is tank in 2024 for one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they will continue to be stuck in an 8-9/9-8 quagmire.
2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: New Orleans didn’t trade down after all, but it can’t be criticized for the picks it made. Taliese Fuaga is a talented blocker who could have been chosen a few picks earlier than his spot at No. 14, while Kool-Aid McKinstry was a major steal at No. 41. Both are outstanding players who will fill huge needs on a declining roster.
Another steal was Spencer Rattler, who somehow slipped to the fifth round. Some teams were turned off by a reality show Rattler recorded years ago, but he was 18 when he did it. He may be a different person now, and if so, the Saints may have a legitimate quarterback of the future.
The rest of New Orleans’ draft was mixed, but it was a great class overall. The Saints didn’t end up acquiring more significant assets, but they obtained some very talented players.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
14. Taliese Fuaga, OT/G, Oregon State – A- Grade
The Saints needed a left tackle, but Taliese Fuaga is a right tackle. However, the Saints need a right tackle as well with Ryan Ramczyk’s season being doomed with his knee injury. This pick makes sense, and Fuaga could have gone a bit earlier than this, so you have to like the slight value.
41. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama – A+ Grade
Here’s another second-round steal. Kool-Aid McKinstry drew interest from some teams in the 20s, so it’s amazing that the Saints are getting him at No. 41. McKinstry fills a huge need with the Saints really struggling at cornerback outside of Marshon Lattimore.
150. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina – A+ Grade
Here he is! Spencer Rattler had second-day talent, but he apparently dropped because he appeared cocky and arrogant on some reality TV show he filmed a long time ago. Perhaps he’s grown up since then, and if so, he’ll be a promising successor for Derek Carr. You have to love the upside.
170. Bub Means, WR, Pittsburgh – B Grade
Bub Means helped himself at the combine with a fast 40 because there were questions about his separation skills. This is a fine pick for the Saints, who needed to acquire a receiver with Michael Thomas gone.
175. Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas – D Grade
The Saints must have used all their energy selecting Spencer Rattler because this pick is very underwhelming. Jaylan Ford is a seventh-round or UDFA prospect, so it’s puzzling as to why they would choose him at the end of the fifth round.
199. Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa – A- Grade
I had Khristian Boyd in the fifth round, so i like this value at the Tom Brady pick in the NFL Draft. Boyd was a productive pass rusher in school, though we’ll have to see if the 1-AA production translates to the NFL.
239. Josiah Ezirim, OT, Eastern Kentucky – B+ Grade
The Saints have some glaring offensive tackle issues, so there’s a chance that Josiah Ezirim will earn some playing time. He was expected to go in this range.
Season Summary:
The Saints were a Tampa Bay loss away from reaching the playoffs. While it was a disappointment that they didn’t reach the postseason, they at least finished their 2023 campaign on a strong note with blowout victories over the Buccaneers and Falcons.
Offseason Moves:
Team Needs:
- Defensive End: The Saints could stand to improve their pass rush. Cameron Jordan doesn’t have much time remaining in the NFL. Signed Chase Young
- Cornerback: Marshon Lattimore is great, but the Saints need better cornerbacks otherwise.
- Defensive Tackle: More help on the defensive line is needed. The interior defensive line struggled in the second half of the year.
- Left Tackle: Some competition for Trevor Penning is needed, given that Penning has been a bust thus far.
- Wide Receiver: Michael Thomas’ days are numbered, so the Saints may want to find another receiver to go with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.
- Guard: Andrus Peat is an impending free agent, but he hasn’t been a very good player anyway.
- Quarterback: The Saints could stand to find a developmental quarterback behind Derek Carr. Jameis Winston is due to hit free agency.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2024 NFL Free Agent Signings:
New Orleans Saints Free Agents:
Salary Cap: TBA.
NFL Free Agent Tracker:
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