New Orleans Saints 2023 NFL Draft Analysis From The College Football Perspective

New Orleans Saints 2023 NFL Draft Analysis

New Orleans Saints 2023 NFL Draft Analysis: Draft Picks

@ColFootballNews | @PeteFiutak
- Top 32 Prospects for 2024

1 29 (29) DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson
2 9 (40) DE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
3 8 (71) RB Kendre Miller, TCU
4 1 (103) OT Nick Saldiveri, Old Dominion
4 25 (127) QB Jake Haener, Fresno State
5 11 (146) S Jordan Howden, Minnesota
6 18 (195) WR AT Perry, Wake Forest

- After a whole lot of maneuvering and trades, the Saints came up with an interesting draft that might be stronger than people will think. I love Bryan Bresee more everyone else does - if he stays healthy he's a top ten talent - who fell to the 29, and they did a good job of getting good options at the right times. But here's the best part ...

- They took a few big shots down the field, and that included Bresee. Derek Carr might be the main man now, but Jake Haener was an excellent quarterback to develop and work with in the fourth round. 

After the at-the-time-I-screamed-it-was-weird Ian Book fourth round call in 2021, and with Jameis Winston not an option for the future, Haener was a good find - even if it'll be forever judged by what Stetson Bennett does after going to the Rams one pick later. Jordan Howden was a fifth rounder who should stick, and AT Perry probably should've gone in the late third.

- Again, this wasn't a safe draft. This was about getting quality help for the defensive front early, sensible skill guys on Day 3, and then finding decent value at the other spots. It sounds so simple, but the Saints might have quietly pulled off a really, really nice weekend in their year of transition.

Best Value Pick: WR AT Perry, Wake Forest (6th)

Biggest Reach: RB Kendre Miller, TCU (3rd)

Late Flier That Could Work: S Jordan Howden, Minnesota (5th)

2023 NFL Draft Score (out of 10): 7

2024 NFL Draft Top 15 Prospect Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG & C
Edge | DT | LB | Safeties | CB | Top 32