It's common for an NFL team to scout and draft certain "types" of college football players. The Saints' preference is for Buckeyes.
The Saints and Ohio State have developed a robust pipeline in assistant general manager Jeff Ireland's seven seasons with New Orleans. Since his arrival, his scouting department has influenced the team's selection of highly talented players.
Most notable has been the five Ohio State players selected in the first or second rounds of the past seven NFL drafts by New Orleans.
To say the Saints have a propensity for successfully drafting Buckeyes is putting it lightly. Equally important is how they have done well in free agency with several contributors such as WR Ted Ginn Jr, CB Bradley Roby, TE Nick Vannett, and even CB Eli Apple.
On Wednesday, Albert Breer reported that New Orleans decision-makers continue showing interest in Ohio State football players. A Tuesday night dinner hosted by general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Dennis Allen included a group of Buckeyes.
Could the meeting signify the Saints are closely scouting more prospects for the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft?
Since 2016, New Orleans has landed fourteen former Buckeyes on its roster:
- CB Malcolm Jenkins (2009) - Saints, 1st Round (14th overall)
- WR Chris Olave (2022) - Saints, 1st Round (11th overall)
- CB Marshon Lattimore (2017) - Saints, 1st Round (11th overall); 2017 AP DROY
- WR Michael Thomas (2016) - Saints, 2nd Round (47th overall); 2019 AP OPOY
- WR Ted Ginn Jr. (2007) - Dolphins, 1st Round (9th overall)
- SS Vonn Bell (2016) - Saints, 2nd Round (61st overall)
- CB Eli Apple (2016) - Giants, 1st Round (10th overall)
- LB Pete Werner (2021) - Saints, 2nd Round (60th overall)
- CB Bradley Roby (2014) - Denver, 1st Round (31st overall)
- LB James Laurinaitis (2009), Rams, 2nd Round (35th overall)
- DB Kurt Coleman (2010) - Eagles, 7th Round, (244th overall)
- G Wyatt Davis (2021) - Vikings, 3rd Round (86th overall)
- TE Nick Vannett(2016) - Seahawks 3rd-Round (94th overall)
- DE Jalyn Holmes (2018) - Vikings 4th-Round (102nd overall)
It's also worth noting that the Saints have drafted five Ohio State players in the first or second rounds of the past seven NFL drafts. Former and current head coaches, Sean Payton and Dennis Allen, hold players from the Buckeyes' programs in high regard. It reflects the team's trust in their ability to produce talented athletes who can impact the NFL.
Time will tell if any of the Buckeyes met by the Saints will one day don the Black and Gold.
We shall see.
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