NFL Draft expert gives harsh grade to Saints draft class
The New Orleans Saints had a smart 2023 NFL Draft. They didn't take any major risks and addressed needs very well at their draft slots. New Orleans moved up multiple times to secure their guys, too. That being said, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. wasn't a massive fan of the class. Kiper Jr. certainly […]
The New Orleans Saints had a smart 2023 NFL Draft. They didn't take any major risks and addressed needs very well at their draft slots. New Orleans moved up multiple times to secure their guys, too.
That being said, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. wasn't a massive fan of the class. Kiper Jr. certainly preferred some picks to others. He broke down their draft class in some detail once the draft concluded.
The Saints received a B- grade from Kiper Jr. in his recent report card.
New Orleans instead landed my third-ranked DT Bryan Bresee (29), who isn't as good against the run as Carter but does have some pass-rush upside. After his freshman season in 2020, I thought Bresee was a future top-five pick, but he missed all of 2021 with an ACL injury. If he can put everything together, he could be worth it, because teams covet interior pass-rushers.
I thought the Saints reached a bit for edge rusher Isaiah Foskey (40) in Day 2, and I would have preferred running back Devon Achane over Kendre Miller (71). Nick Saldiveri (103) played mostly right tackle in college but likely will move inside to guard for New Orleans. Quarterback Jake Haener (127) landed in a fun spot — his closest comp in size and mechanics is Drew Brees. Now, if the 6-foot passer becomes as good as Brees, I'll be re-grading this draft as an A+, but I see his ceiling as a really solid backup behind Derek Carr or low-end starter. A.T. Perry (195), a 6-foot-3 wideout, had 26 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
There were a few significant reaches in this New Orleans class, which drops it to the lowest tier of these grades.
Kiper Jr. makes some fair points in his explanations. The Bresee pick probably deserves a bit more credit, and the Saints' day three was better than Kiper Jr. let on during his report – in my opinion, though. He ranks them as the lowest-rated draft in the "B category. New Orleans found legitimately useful depth at important spots on the roster.
Defensive line was their biggest area of need, and the Saints used their most premium picks on precisely that. Bresee and Foskey can both make an immediate impact for the Saints. His point on Miller is certainly fair, as you could argue that multiple other RBs on the board were superior prospects to him.
Haener is a tough-minded, accomplished quarterback that will sit behind Derek Carr for at least the next two years. He is, at the very least, a capable backup long-term for the Saints. Perry is one of the best picks from day three of the draft.
Kiper Jr. wasn't a huge fan of New Orleans draft class, but their selections could pay off in a massive way.
