Here is the New Orleans Saints' 2024 NFL Draft class
We can officially put the 2024 NFL Draft in the books. The picks are made, and the New Orleans Saints draft class is a solid one. They filled needs and added upside at spots where they really needed an influx of it. Who did the Saints select throughout the three days of picks? Check out […]
We can officially put the 2024 NFL Draft in the books. The picks are made, and the New Orleans Saints draft class is a solid one. They filled needs and added upside at spots where they really needed an influx of it.
Who did the Saints select throughout the three days of picks? Check out their new rookies below.
New Orleans Saints' official 2024 NFL Draft class
1st round, No. 14 overall | Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
Fuaga is a mammoth of a tackle that was arguably the top run blocker in the class. He's a day one starter for a Saints offensive line that desperately needed another starting OT after the James Hurst retirement and continued questions on the health of Ryan Ramczyk.
The Oregon State product fills that role, and many folks who watched him live think that he will be a great NFL offensive lineman with Pro Bowl upside. The Saints needed more grit on offense. Fuaga supplies that as a projected top 20 pick.
2nd round, No. 41 overall (from NY Jets via Green Bay) | Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Value? Value. McKinstry is the definition of taking what is given to you in the draft. The Saints traded two day three picks to move up to pick 41 and take McKinstry, a player many expected to go in round one.
He can play immediately in the Saints secondary and provides impressive insurance for Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo in case of injury. McKinstry can also play inside in the slot, so he can challenge Alontae Taylor there, who was inconsistent in 2023. And yes, his name truly is Kool-Aid. Enjoy it, fans.
5th round, No. 150 overall | Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
The Saints made another intriguing pick to kick off their round five mania. Spencer Rattler was once projected to be the top overall pick in the NFL draft. After an inconsistent college career, his stock never rose quite that high.
That being said, Rattler has unique physical traits and a style that fits in nicely to today's NFL. He will provide young competition behind Derek Carr in New Orleans.
5th round, No. 170 overall (compensatory) | Bub Means, WR, Pitt
Means is a big target that New Orleans had to add in the draft. Their WR room was mostly set, but it was missing a jump ball receiver outside of A.T. Perry. Those two should stick around as downfield options with strong hands for the Saints.
5th round, No. 175 overall (compensatory) | Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
An athlete. Jaylan Ford moves just about as well as any linebacker in this year's class. He can fly around in the run game to make plays and play tough enough to get to the quarterback. His game is still raw, but as a depth linebacker and special teams player, he was a great get for the Saints in round five.
6th round, No. 199 overall (from Philadelphia) | Khristian Boyd, DL, Northern Iowa
Time to stuff the run better in New Orleans. The run defense has been a strength for the Saints up until last year. Add in Boyd, and their interior looks noticeably better. He's a space filler with a great motor. Many scouts thought that he would go in round four rather than round six.
7th round, No. 239 overall (from LA Rams via Denver) | Josiah Ezirim, OL, Eastern Kentucky
Another big guy that can move for the Saints. Their linemen almost always test well, and Ezirim did exactly that pre-draft. He will try to carve out a depth role at guard or tackle. His biggest strengths are his quickness and movement in run blocking.
All in all, the Saints accomplished plenty of tasks in this year's draft. Fans should be enthusiastic about this class.
Grading the Saints 2024 Draft Class: New Orleans adds depth and upside with batch of rookies
A lot of young talent coming in.
