The New Orleans Saints are 5-6 after eleven games of play this season. They're in second place in a measly NFC South. The playoffs are still a possibility, undoubtedly, but expectations must be tempered. Taking a look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft, New Orleans has some clear needs.
The Saints own just five picks in the entire draft currently. That being said, they will receive at least three compensatory picks for players that left in this past offseason's free agency period. Their current picks are below.
- Round 1 (own)
- Round 2 (via Denver Broncos)
- Round 5 (own)
- Round 6 (own)
- Round 6 (via Philadelphia Eagles, either from Eagles or Tennessee Titans)
What are the Saints' major roster needs right now for the 2024 NFL Draft?
Edge Rusher
The Saints' pass rush has been mediocre at best in 2023. They have just eighteen sacks through eleven games. That's the second-least in the NFL so far this season. The defenses around them in that category are the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, and New York Giants. All of those teams are slated to pick ahead of the Saints in the first round right now.
Cameron Jordan is on the decline, and Isaiah Foskey has not proven anything to prevent them from spending a first-rounder on pass rusher.
Offensive Tackle
Ryan Ramcyzk is still a very good offensive tackle. Opposite him, there is plenty of unknown. Trevor Penning has not been able to hold a starting spot, and time is running out for him to earn one. James Hurst struggled earlier in the year when he was starting at OT for New Orleans.
In a class with a lot of offensive tackle talent, this need makes a lot of sense for the Saints in the 2024 draft.
Wide Receiver
Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are exciting, young wideouts on the roster that won't be going anywhere soon. Michael Thomas restructured his contract into a one-year deal prior to this season, and now, he is dealing with another tough injury. It's unknown if New Orleans will have him in 2024.
The wide receiver class is stacked with talent once again, and an elite player could be available at that spot if they pick in the top twelve picks. The second round has been a gold mine at WR in recent years, too.
Linebacker
Demario Davis remains inevitable. He's still a top five linebacker in the NFL. He is 34 years old and cannot play forever, though. Pete Werner is a good LB2, but he's shown more inconsistency this season for the Saints. Behind them, there's no proven talent.
If New Orleans does not plan on extending Werner, the need for another linebackers grows. Plus, it's a position that you can usually good value in in rounds 2-4.
Quarterback
Fans will clamor for this one to be included on this list. It'd be tough for New Orleans to take a quarterback earlier in the 2024 draft. If Derek Carr continues to struggle, then it will have to be on the table for the Saints, though. They're able to get out of his deal much simpler after next season, so adding a rookie QB to give him competition cannot be ruled out.
The Saints are unlikely to get in range for either of the top two QB prospects, Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, but Jayden Daniels (or others like Carson Beck) could be a first-round pick by the time April rolls around for the NFL. New Orleans must keep that door open.
It's tough to project whether or not QB will be on the table without the final six games on the schedule being played yet. Changes to the coaching staff could affect this likelihood, too.
The Saints are a veteran roster with some talented young pieces as well. That being said, the 2024 NFL Draft will be an important one for their future outlook.
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