The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp’s 2024 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren’s deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2024 Football Preview.
With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2024 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let’s look at the New Orleans Saints, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the New Orleans Saints rookies?
- Taliese Fuaga — OT — Round 1
- Kool–Aid McKinstry — CB — Round 2
- Spencer Rattler — QB — Round 5
- Bub Means — WR — Round 5
- Jaylan Ford — LB — Round 5
- Khristian Boyd — DT — Round 6
- Josiah Ezirim — OT — Round 7
New Orleans Saints Draft Class Grade:
The New Orleans Saints received a B- draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Saints Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Saints were uncharacteristically patient on draft day and benefitted by landing Taliese Fuaga (first round), who was available later than expected due to the early run on quarterbacks. Fuaga played exclusively at right tackle during his two years as a starter at Oregon State, but the Saints are giving Fuaga a chance to win the left tackle job.
It’s unclear if there is any real competition for that job, as 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning is likely moving to right tackle to replace Ryan Ramczyk, who is injured and expected to miss most or all of the 2024 season. When quarterbacks took a traditional dropback of three or more steps, Fuaga was brilliant, generating a blown-block rate of just 2.5%, the second-best rate among Pac-12 tackles.
Kool-Aid McKinstry (second round) fell out of the first round due to injury concerns but is a potential steal if he stays healthy. McKinstry excels in man coverage, allowing 0.4 yards per coverage snap in man when lined up on the outside in 2023, which led the SEC. That should allow for a smooth transition to the Saints defense, which played man at the league’s third-highest rate last year. McKinstry will provide depth this season but could emerge as a starter in 2025 as Paulson Adebo is in the final year of his contract.
Spencer Rattler (fifth round) looked like a potential first-round pick early in his career at Oklahoma, but his development stalled out after he transferred to South Carolina. Rattler’s strength is his accuracy 一 his route-adjusted on-target rate was 3.8% above expected last year, second only to Jayden Daniels in the SEC. To get on the field eventually, Rattler needs to develop into more of a game manager. He was an extreme risk-taker in college without the elite physical tools to justify it. In 2023, Rattler generated -1 EPA or worse on 24% of his dropbacks, the SEC’s third-worst rate.
Bub Means (fifth round) has the speed to stretch the field but must develop into a more reliable pass catcher. His route-adjusted catch rate was 2.9% below expected over the last two seasons. Beyond Chris Olave, no one is locked into a substantial role in New Orleans, so there is an opportunity for Means to get on the field in 2024.
Jaylan Ford (fifth round) is an off-ball linebacker who has extensive experience on special teams, which will help him make the team. Although he lacks ideal athletic traits, he’s a savvy defender in coverage and could prove to be a valuable backup if he continues developing that skill set.
Khristian Boyd (sixth round) will be a 24-year-old rookie making the transition to the NFL from Northern Iowa. He saw significant action at nose tackle in college and likely fits best in that role in the NFL.
The Saints added another small school prospect in Josiah Ezirim (seventh round) out of Eastern Kentucky. Ezirim made just 19 career starts on the offensive line after making the switch from defensive tackle, so there’s reason to hope he can be further developed. In two games against FBS competition last year (Cincinnati, Kentucky), Ezirim allowed an abysmal 13% blown block rate when the quarterback took a traditional dropback, so don’t expect him to get on the field in New Orleans any time soon.
New Orleans likely landed two long-term starters in Fuaga and McKinstry, but without another pick until the fifth round, that’s probably the extent of this class’ meaningful contributions. The Saints consistently part with future picks, which leads to drafts like this one. Coming away with two starters is an acceptable draft, but there’s no margin for error when five of your seven picks are from the fifth round on.
This analysis continues in the 2024 Football Preview
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