Saints: 2 way too early targets in 2024 NFL Draft.
The Saints must select players in a few key need categories in the NFL Draft of 2024.
In the 2023 season, the New Orleans Saints came dangerously close to guaranteeing a postseason berth. They finished their last five games with a 4-1 record to give themselves a shot. But regrettably, it came too little, too late for New Orleans.
After starting the season 5-7, the Saints ultimately dug themselves too deep of a hole. The Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers losses in Weeks 3 and 4 when quarterback Derek Carr was still sidelined with an AC sprain were what ultimately proved to be fatal for them.
Before allowing 18 straight scores to close out the game, New Orleans led the Packers 17–0 going into the fourth quarter. The following week, behind 14-6 at the half, the Saints were outscored 12-3 in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay. The final score was 26–9. Based on those games, Green Bay and Tampa Bay defeated the Saints in the tiebreaker.
The Saints have excellent news in that they won’t be far from making the playoffs. They actually have a +75 point differential, which is higher than that of seven of the 14 playoff clubs and the greatest among non-playoff teams.
New Orleans always are all-in to make the playoffs so this season would count as a disappointment for them. But with the 14th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, there are some players the Saints could draft that can help them return the postseason. Two, in particular, stand out as immediate targets for head coach Dennis Allen and company.
The biggest area of need for New Orleans is on their offensive line. The Saints looked to shore up their offensive line in the 2022 NFL Draft when they selected Trevor Penning in the first round. But he has struggled mightily since entering the league and was even benched in 2023.
The Saints ranked 28th in the NFL in pass block win rate, via ESPN. Offensive line was a big problem all season long.
Someone that can help is Alabama left tackle JC Latham. While Alabama and quarterback Jalen Milroe did take their fair share of sacks this season, the quarterback’s tendency to hold the ball and look to scramble played a big part in that. Latham did his job, however. He was only responsible for two sacks during his career at Alabama.
Latham does have a bit of an issue with penalties, but those numbers speak for themselves. He is regarded as one of the best left tackle prospects in this draft and the Saints really could use a left tackle after whiffing on Trevor Penning.
There should be a few options for the Saints at that position with their first round pick, including Georgia’s Amarius Mims and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga. But Latham might be the best one available with their pick. He’d be a great selection.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Tight End
The Saints could also use a tight end. Chris Olave is an absolutely fantastic receiver and Rashid Shaheed is a dynamic deep threat, but they could also use a big-bodied target in the middle of the field. Texas’ Ja’Tavion Sanders could be that guy.
During his two seasons at Austin, Sanders produced a great deal. During his last two seasons at Iowa, Sam LaPorta amassed 99 receptions, 1,295 yards, and seven touchdowns.
This season, the Saints’ tight end position was constantly changing. Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill, Jimmy Graham, and Juwan Johnson together accounted for 97 receptions, 891 yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns.
If it came from just one player, that would be amazing. But in New Orleans, that was not the case. There, they require a response. Sanders seems like a potential candidate.
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