NFL Draft Grades - New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints' 2025 Draft Selections

2024 Pick 14. (R:1 P:14) - Taliese Fuaga, G/OT, Oregon State
Grade: A-
The Saints needed a left tackle, but Taliese Fuaga is a right tackle. However, the Saints need a right tackle as well with Ryan Ramczyk's season being doomed with his knee injury. This pick makes sense, and Fuaga could have gone a bit earlier than this, so you have to like the slight value.

2024 Pick 41. (R:2 P:9) - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Grade: A+
Here's another second-round steal. Kool-Aid McKinstry drew interest from some teams in the 20s, so it's amazing that the Saints are getting him at No. 41. McKinstry fills a huge need with the Saints really struggling at cornerback outside of Marshon Lattimore.

2024 Pick 150. (R:5 P:15) - Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Grade: A+
Here he is! Spencer Rattler had second-day talent, but he apparently dropped because he appeared cocky and arrogant on some reality TV show he filmed a long time ago. Perhaps he's grown up since then, and if so, he'll be a promising successor for Derek Carr. You have to love the upside.

2024 Pick 168. (R:5 P:33) - Javon Solomon, DE, Troy
Grade: B+
Javon Solomon is a terrific pass rusher who would have gone much earlier than this if he weren't undersized. Solomon won't be able to play a ton of snaps in the NFL, but he'll be impactful as a designated pass rusher, which is something the Bills needed to acquire.

2024 Pick 170. (R:5 P:35) - Bub Means, WR, Pittsburgh
Grade: B
Bub Means helped himself at the combine with a fast 40 because there were questions about his separation skills. This is a fine pick for the Saints, who needed to acquire a receiver with Michael Thomas gone.

2024 Pick 175. (R:5 P:40) - Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
Grade: D
The Saints must have used all their energy selecting Spencer Rattler because this pick is very underwhelming. Jaylan Ford is a seventh-round or UDFA prospect, so it's puzzling as to why they would choose him at the end of the fifth round.

2024 Pick 190. (R:6 P:14) - Dylan McMahon, C, N.C. State
Grade: B
A center is an obvious need, given Jason Kelce's retirement. The Eagles have a replacement, but they needed new depth at the position. Dylan McMahon was a projected fifth-rounder, so the range makes sense for him to go at No. 190.

2024 Pick 199. (R:6 P:23) - Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa
Grade: A-
I had Khristian Boyd in the fifth round, so i like this value at the Tom Brady pick in the NFL Draft. Boyd was a productive pass rusher in school, though we'll have to see if the 1-AA production translates to the NFL.

2024 Pick 239. (R:7 P:19) - Josiah Ezirim, G, Western Kentucky
Grade: B+
The Saints have some glaring offensive tackle issues, so there's a chance that Josiah Ezirim will earn some playing time. He was expected to go in this range.

Past Grades and Selections

2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2024 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD

2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2023 Pick 29. (R:1 P:29) - Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson C The Saints lost David Onyemata this offseason, so it's not a surprise that they drafted Bryan Bresee with Myles Murphy off the board. However, this is a very questionable selection with Nolan Smith and Michael Mayer on the board. Bresee is a very talented player, but he didn't live up to expectations at Clemson, and he also has some major injury concerns.

2023 Pick 40. (R:2 P:9) - Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame A- The Saints could have gone with Keion White, but Isaiah Foskey is a great option as well. Foskey is very athletic and should help a pass rush that was horrific last year. With Marcus Davenport gone and Cameron Jordan on a sharp decline, someone like Foskey was needed.

2023 Pick 71. (R:3 P:8) - Kendre Miller, RB, TCU A This pick shouldn't surprise anyone. Alvin Kamara, who could be suspended for his off-the-field issues, looked like he was running in quicksand last year, outside of the game in which he played against the flu-ridden Raiders. Miller is someone who had second-round interest, so I like the value.

2023 Pick 115. (R:4 P:13) - Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
B The Bears have taken the "other" Texas running back, which seems like a quality decision because the Bears don't have the best backfield. Roschon Johnson is aThe Bears have taken the "other" Texas running back, which seems like a quality decision because the Bears don't have the best backfield. Roschon Johnson is a big back with decent receiving ability for a player his size. big back with decent receiving ability for a player his size.

2023 Pick 146. (R:5 P:11) - Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota
B I had Jordan Howden going three picks later than this, so the range makes sense for the Saints, who needed to improve their secondary. Jordan Howden had lots of fans from the scouting departments even though his play didn't show it at Minnesota.

2023 Pick 165. (R:5 P:30) - Terell Smith, CB, Minnesota
C Adding another cornerback makes sense, but I never had Terell Smith in my mock drafts. He's an athletic cornerback with upside, but wasn't a very good player at Minnesota. The Bears might be able to turn him into a decent player, but I have my doubts.

2023 Pick 227. (R:7 P:10) - Raymond Vohasek, DT,
C I'm surprised Raymond Vohasek was drafted. He's not a good pass rusher, and he has a very sketchy injury history. He'll have trouble making the roster.

2023 Pick 257. (R:7 P:40) - Alex Forsyth, C, Oregon
B Alex Forsyth was solid in run blocking and pass protection last year at Oregon. I'm surprised he went so late; I thought he could have been taken early on Day 3.

2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2022 Pick 11. (R:1 P:11) - Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State B+ Grade
The Saints surrendered third- and fourth-picks to move up, and it makes sense for them to do so. With two of the top four receivers flying off the board, New Orleans could not have waited until No. 16 to address the position. Olave fills a huge need and is one of the better players available, so I like this pick. I'm not a huge fan of the trade, but it had to be done.

2022 Pick 19. (R:1 P:19) - Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa A- Grade
The Saints landed a nice bargain in Trevor Penning. There was some speculation that Trevor Penning would go as high as No. 9. I thought that was too rich for him, but the 13-17 range seemed right. Penning is a nice pick for the Saints, who desperately needed to replace the departed Terron Armstead.

2022 Pick 49. (R:2 P:17) - Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee
B Grade
It's a bit disappointing to see the Saints pass on a quarterback, but Alontae Taylor is a solid prospect who will fill a big need in the secondary. The only question is where, as Taylor is versatile enough to play corner and safety. I had him going around this range in my mock draft.

2022 Pick 161. (R:5 P:18) - D'Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State
B+ Grade
The Saints were considering Quay Walker at No. 19, so this is better late than never for linebacker help that the team needed. D'Marco Jackson is a solid fifth-round prospect I've constantly had in this range, so this is a quality selection.

2022 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD

2022 Pick 196. (R:6 P:17) - Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri A- Grade
I've had Tyler Badie going a bit earlier than this in my mocks, so I like the value. Badie is a small back, but he has positive strength and quickness. He'll provide needed depth for the Ravens, who have nothing but injured running backs on their roster.

2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2021 Pick 28. (R:1 P:28) - Payton Turner, DE, Houston C- Grade
Charlie Campbell was on point with his report that Payton Turner was rising up draft boards, but I didn't think he'd go this early! I was thinking the middle of the second round, but the Saints pulled the trigger on Turner because Greg Newsome was snatched off the board. I'm all for teams upgrading their pass rush, and the Saints needed to do so in the wake of Trey Hendrickson's departure. However, the Saints probably could've moved down about a dozen spots and still gotten Turner or someone of his caliber.

2021 Pick 60. (R:2 P:28) - Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
B- Grade
Pete Werner is a stout run defender who played well down the stretch this past season, but I didn't ever have him in the second round. I had always mocked him in the third frame, but this is close enough for it to not matter much. Werner certainly fills a need in a dubious linebacking corps.

2021 Pick 98. (R:3 P:34) - Quinn Meinerz, G, Wisconsin-Whitewater
B Grade
The Broncos will need to make sure the offensive line is pristine for Aaron Rodgers to give him the best chance to win the Super Bowl. Quinn Meinerz should help in that regard. He had an amazing Senior Bowl, showing that he can compete with the top athletes entering the NFL Draft.

2021 Pick 105. (R:3 P:41) - Baron Browning, 3-4OLB, Ohio State
B Grade
I've had Baron Browning pegged near the bottom of the third round, so the range makes sense for Baron Browning, who is a high-upside player. He's big, fast and athletic, but he lacks instincts and is raw. The Broncos have needed linebacker help for quite some time, so perhaps Vic Fangio can coach up Browning into becoming a quality starter.

2021 Pick 133. (R:4 P:28) - Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame
F Grade
The Saints are paying big money to two young quarterbacks, so it makes sense that they would pick a signal-caller with this pick. OK, maybe not. The Saints have so many needs and so few resources that they couldn't afford to make a luxury pick like this.

2021 Pick 218. (R:6 P:34) - Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas
C Grade
Meh. I like adding quarterbacks late in the draft for development and future trade purposes, but Sam Ehlinger never looked like an NFL quarterback to me.

2021 Pick 229. (R:7 P:1) - Mike Strachan, WR, Charleston
B Grade
I had Mike Strachan going around this range. He makes sense for the Colts, who were expected to address their receiver need earlier than this. I like this as a solid value pick.

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2021 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD

2020 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2020 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD

2019 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2019 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD

2018 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2018 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD

2017 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2017 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD

2016 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2016 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD

2015 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2015 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD

2014 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2014 New Orleans Saints - Prospect:TBD