As we approach the NFL Draft, set to kick off on Thursday night with the first round, anticipation builds for day one and the subsequent rounds on Friday and Saturday. Here are five key positions where I believe the Saints need to focus their attention to enhance their roster by upgrading their starting lineup or bolstering depth. This list reflects a blend of widespread consensus and my analysis, highlighting where the Saints could significantly improve to build a competitive team for the upcoming season and beyond. Let’s dive into the positions and players that could make a meaningful impact in New Orleans.
Offensive Tackle
At the outset, the key areas where the Saints urgently need to bolster their lineup include offensive tackle, edge rusher, wide receiver, defensive tackle, and tight end. The players I’ve identified will likely be selected within the draft’s first three rounds. However, considering the Saints lack picks in the third and fourth rounds, their early draft focus will center around their first, second, and fifth-round selections. There’s a strong chance the team might trade up to acquire a pick in the missing rounds. Focusing on the offensive tackle position, I’ve pinpointed five standout prospects who could be available when the Saints pick at 14th overall.
The featured list prospects are JC Latham, Taliese Fuaga, Troy Fautanu, Olu Fashanu, and Amarius Mims. Any of these players would be a solid pick at 14, provided they align with the vision of Klint Kubiak, the new offensive coordinator, and fit seamlessly into the team’s current scheme. The necessity for quality offensive tackles has become even more pressing following the concerning updates on Ryan Ramczyk’s health and the ongoing uncertainties surrounding Trevor Penning, who is teetering on the brink of being labeled a bust. While there’s a belief within Saints circles that the team might opt for tackles in both the first and second rounds, securing a veteran presence could be equally strategic.
A viable strategy could be to draft a top tackle prospect with the 14th pick and then re-sign Andrus Peat. This would infuse young talent into the line and retain a seasoned veteran who can play both guard and tackle. Peat’s versatility and experience would be invaluable, especially as he is naturally more suited to the left side. Despite meeting with the Titans, Peat remains unsigned, which leaves the door open for a potential return to New Orleans post-draft.
In terms of specific prospects, while I hold all five in high regard, my top three preferences are Troy Fautanu, Taliese Fuaga, and Olu Fashanu. These players possess the requisite skills to effectively protect Derek Carr and enhance the run game, which is expected to be a significant focus for the Saints moving forward. Should the Saints opt for JC Latham or Amarius Mims, the moves should still be solid, provided they can integrate well into the Saints’ system and contribute effectively in pass protection and the running game.
EDGE
The defensive end position is also under scrutiny for the Saints as they head into the draft, presenting a potential area for a strategic surprise. Given the unpredictability of Saints’ executives Mickey Loomis and Jeff Ireland, they could opt for an edge rusher with the 14th overall pick, deferring their selection of an offensive tackle to a later round. Dallas Turner from Alabama stands out among the potential candidates for this position. However, he is widely projected to be off the board by the time the Saints pick, with many mocks linking him to the Atlanta Falcons. However, should Turner still be available at 14, he would offer an intriguing option for the Saints, aligning well with their needs and strategic preferences.
Another promising prospect is Jared Verse from Florida State, whose impressive skill set has caught the attention of many analysts. Similarly, Darius Robinson from Missouri offers considerable appeal. While Robinson might not carry the first-round buzz of some of his peers, he possesses the prototypical attributes and playing style that fit seamlessly with the Saints’ defensive scheme.
These three candidates—Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, and Darius Robinson—represent the core of my wish list for the Saints at the edge position. Each brings a unique set of skills that could significantly enhance the Saints’ pass rush and overall defensive efficacy, underscoring the importance of this selection in shaping the team’s future defensive strategies.
Wide Receiver
Addressing the wide receiver position is also pivotal for the Saints as they look to revamp their offensive strategy under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Among the potential targets, the Saints might consider a range of promising talents who could enrich their receiving corps. The list includes Xavier Legette from South Carolina, Ricky Pearsall from Florida, Luke McCaffrey from Rice, Malachi Corley from Western Kentucky, and New Orleans’ own Jha’Quan Jackson from Tulane. These players bring unique strengths that could fit well with the Saints’ evolving offensive scheme.
While top prospects like Troy Franklin and Adonai Mitchell are expected to be selected early, possibly in the first round, the Saints have their sights on other versatile receivers who can be impactful, particularly from the slot. For example, Ricky Pearsall is noted for his ability to make contested catches, and Malachi Corley is recognized as a “slot machine,” having produced significantly from this position. Corley’s versatility extends to the backfield, where he can also be utilized effectively in the running game.
Xavier Legette is lauded for his hands, with scouting reports suggesting he has better catching abilities coming out of college than Deebo Samuel had at the same stage in his career. Jha’Quan Jackson also offers versatility; he could contribute in the slot and on special teams as a punt returner. Given their later draft picks, if the Saints wish to secure talents like Ricky Pearsall or Malachi Corley, who is highly rated and might go as early as the second round, they may need to consider trading up. Packaging their fifth-round picks to move into the third or fourth round could be a strategic move to ensure they land one of these skilled receivers.
In summary, the Saints are looking at various wide receivers who can excel in Kubiak’s system, emphasizing slot performance and versatility. The challenge will be navigating the draft strategically to make the most of their picks and successfully bolster their receiving options.
Defensive Tackle
At defensive tackle, the Saints may have their eyes on two standout prospects from the University of Texas: Byron Young and T’Vondre Sweat. Both players are renowned for their ability to stop the run and are considered among the top defensive tackle talents in this draft class. Other players are in the mix, but Young and Sweat stand out for their exceptional skills in filling this crucial role. Byron Young may last up to the first round due to his high draft stock. If the Saints are determined to secure him, they should consider using their 14th overall pick. Should Young still be available in the second round, the Saints would likely need to trade up to secure his selection, indicating a solid commitment to bolstering their defensive line.
T’Vondre Sweat, on the other hand, is also highly regarded and could be drafted anywhere from the late first to the early second round. His ability to dominate in the trenches makes him a valuable asset that could significantly enhance the Saints’ defensive line.
This focus on defensive tackles like Young and Sweat underscores the Saints’ need to strengthen their interior defense, especially considering the less-than-ideal production from this position group since 2021. Addressing this need through the draft could be pivotal in shoring up the Saints’ defensive capabilities for the upcoming season.
Tight End
As we wrap up our draft preview, let’s focus on the tight end position, a key potential area for the Saints. The draft class is headlined by Brock Bowers, universally regarded as the best tight end available this year. Beyond Bowers, the talent pool includes notable names like Ben Sinnott from Kansas State, Ja’Tavion Sanders from Texas, and Cade Stover from Ohio State.
There’s a burgeoning consensus among fans and analysts alike that if Bowers is available when the Saints pick at 14th, he should be the pick. Integrating a talent like Bowers could elevate the Saints’ offense significantly, leveraging the skills of our new offensive coordinator to create a more dynamic attack. However, this would necessitate securing a skilled offensive tackle in the second round, as the depth and quality of available tackles are expected to decline sharply after the early rounds.
Critics argue that drafting Bowers could pigeonhole him into a predominantly blocking role due to potential deficiencies in pass protection, which might limit his ability to impact the game as a receiver. Nonetheless, it’s reasonable to expect the Saints’ coaching staff to devise a strategic plan to utilize Bowers’ full capabilities, ensuring he isn’t wasted on blocking duties alone.
Furthermore, players like Ben Sinnott, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Cade Stover are also worthy of attention. Each can be off the board by the end of the third round. The Saints might need to consider strategies to re-enter the third round or secure an additional second-round pick to draft these promising tight ends. Sinnott, Sanders, and Stover represent the tier below Bowers and could provide significant value.
This selection of tight ends forms a crucial part of my draft wish list for the Saints. Fans and analysts need to monitor these prospects closely as the draft approaches, considering how each could fit into the Saints’ evolving offensive scheme and potentially contribute to a rejuvenated passing game.
