As a lead-up to the 2024 NFL draft, we’ve broken down the current depth chart of every NFL team and identified the biggest draft and team needs for the New Orleans Saints.
You can find additional team-by-team draft needs articles and other draft content on our 2024 NFL Draft Hub.
New Orleans Saints Needs: Top Positions of Need in 2024
- Offensive Line
- Defensive Line
- Wide Receiver
What Picks Do the New Orleans Saints Have in 2024?
The New Orleans Saints have 9 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including:
- Round 1 (14)
- Round 2 (45)
- Round 5 (150)
- Round 5 (168)
- Round 5 (170)
- Round 5 (175)
- Round 6 (190)
- Round 6 (199)
- Round 7 (239)
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The preview is unlike anything you have ever seen, featuring stunning visualizations built with the reader in mind.
This preview shares insights into players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal in mind: to prepare you for the 2024 NFL season by delivering the smartest information in the fastest, most direct way possible.
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New Orleans Saints Draft Capital Stats
Our Sharp Draft Value Rank is a valuation of draft capital based on a combination of average performance delivered and average dollars earned on second contracts.
This is based on two public models: performance delivered based on draft slot (the AV model created by Chase Stuart) and contractual earnings in non-rookie deals based upon draft slot (the OTC model created by Brad Spielberger and Jason Fitzgerald).
- Saints Sharp Draft Value Rank: 22 of 32 teams
- Saints AV Model Draft Value Rank: 22 of 32 teams
- Saints OTC Model Draft Value Rank: 18 of 32 teams
New Orleans Saints Draft Value vs. Other Teams:
The Saints ’ draft value is 9% lower than the league average of all 32 teams. 21 other teams have more draft value entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
New Orleans Saints Draft Prediction:
Brendan Donahue has the Saints selecting Talise Fuaga (OT, Oregon State) with the 14th overall pick in his most recent 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
Mock draft expert Ryan McCrystal believes the Saints could target an offensive tackle like Olu Fashanu (OT, Penn State) with their top pick at No. 14 overall in the first round.
New Orleans Saints Strength of Schedule, 2024
The New Orleans Saints have the fifth-easiest NFL strength of schedule for the 2024 NFL season.
New Orleans Saints Offense: Depth Chart, Analysis & Draft Needs
Rich Hribar breaks down the offensive depth chart by position for the New Orleans Saints, identifying areas where the team could improve in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Quarterback Depth Chart, Saints:
- Derek Carr
- Nathan Peterman
- Jake Haener
- Kellen Mond
Derek Carr inked a four-year contract with New Orleans last offseason.
In his first year with the Saints, Carr completed 68.4% of his passes (sixth in the league) for 7.1 yards per pass attempt (18th) with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
His 1.5% interception rate was his lowest in a season since 2016.
He finished 14th in touchdown rate (4.6%), 17th in EPA per dropback (0.04), and 16th in success rate (43.4%).
Those rankings align with what we know about Carr.
He is fine. He is not going to kill you but also is below the front end of the position.
Carr is only carrying a $12.7 million cap hit this season, but that spikes to $51.4 million and $61.5 million over the next two seasons.
Mickey Loomis always finds a way to massage restructuring contracts, but the first realistic out year that the Saints currently have with Carr comes after the 2025 season.
Running Back Depth Chart, Saints:
- Alvin Kamara
- Jamaal Williams
- Kendre Miller
- James Robinson
- Zander Horvath
- Jordan Mims
- Adam Prentice (FB)
This running game was one of the worst in the NFL last season.
Their running backs closed the year ranking 29th in yards per rush (3.5 YPC) and 28th in the rate of runs to gain 10 or more yards (7.1%).
The Saints were the only team in the NFL that did not have a run of 20 or more yards from a running back last season.
New Orleans’ running backs were dead last in the NFL in yards after contact per rush (2.44).
Alvin Kamara averaged a career-low 4.5 yards per touch in 2023.
He caught 75 passes in just 13 games, one fewer than Breece Hall.
But Kamara also averaged a career-low 6.2 yards per reception.
As a runner, Kamara was 35th out of 49 running backs with 100 or more rushes with 3.9 yards per carry.
The explosive runs for Kamara have disappeared in recent seasons.
Kamara had a run of 10 or more yards on 8.3% of his runs, 34th in the league.
Over the past three seasons, his 8.7% explosive run rate ranks 65th at the position after he posted a 13.6% rate earlier in his career.
Kamara’s 2.51 yards after contact per rush were the fewest of his career, a number that has gone down from the season prior in five consecutive seasons.
Kamara will turn 29 this summer.
The team added Jamaal Williams last offseason, but Williams only managed 2.9 yards per rush on his 106 runs last season.
His 23.6% success rate as a runner ranked ahead of only Dameon Pierce out of 49 qualifying running backs.
The Saints did select Kendre Miller in the third round last year in an effort to infuse some explosion in the run game.
Miller was snakebit as a rookie.
He injured his knee in August and then suffered an ankle injury in the middle of the season.
By the time the dust settled, he played just 112 offensive snaps, turning 51 touches into 273 yards (5.4 yards per touch).
The struggles of this run game extend beyond the backfield, but the Saints need more from their backfield moving forward.
The team has a lot of immediate investment into these three running backs, so it is going to have to come from the front of this unit before they can start to rebuild things down the line.
Wide Receiver Depth Chart, Saints:
- Chris Olave
- Rashid Shaheed
- Cedrick Wilson
- A.T. Perry
- Stanley Morgan
- Equanimeous St. Brown
After a strong rookie season, Chris Olave took another step forward in year two.
Olave improved his receptions (5.4) and receiving yardage (70.2) per game as a sophom*ore, catching one more touchdown (five) than his rookie season.
Olave ranked 15th at the position in target rate per route run (25.5%).
Only five wide receivers who ran as many routes as Olave averaged more yards per route run.
New Orleans still has plenty of runway remaining on Olave’s rookie contract paired with a potential fifth-year option.
The depth here is more of a question mark big picture.
Rashid Shaheed has been a solid asset whenever called on.
After coming on at the end of his rookie season in 2022, Shaheed caught 46-of-75 targets for 719 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.
He has averaged 17.4 and 15.6 yards per reception in his first two years in the NFL.
Shaheed was targeted on 21.2% of his routes run without Michael Thomas on the field last season (193 routes) compared to only a 14.3% rate when Thomas was on the field (238 routes).
With Thomas now officially gone, Shaheed will be tasked with a consistent role in the lineup.
Shaheed is only under contract for this season, but the Saints have restricted free agent rights on him following 2024.
A.T. Perry was selected in the sixth round last season.
He only caught 12 passes as a rookie, but four of those went for touchdowns while averaging 20.5 yards per catch.
That completely aligns with Perry’s profile exiting Wake Forest.
No wide receiver in last year’s draft class had more collegiate air yards in their final season than Perry (928). He turned 16.4% of his career receptions into touchdowns, which was fourth in that class.
The Saints added Cedrick Wilson here as veteran competition and depth, but he has caught more than 22 passes in just one of his five seasons in the league.
This team still only has six wideouts currently under contract.
We should expect another Day 3 pick here at minimum.
Tight End Depth Chart, Saints:
- Taysom Hill
- Juwan Johnson
- Foster Moreau
- Tommy Hudson
- Michael Jacobson
Taysom Hill is officially listed as a tight end, but that is largely a formality.
In 2023, Hill played 115 snaps at quarterback (largely as a runner), 29 snaps in the backfield, 80 snaps inline at tight end, 130 snaps in the slot, and 71 snaps out wide.
Hill ended the season by setting career-highs with 114 touches and 692 total yards, tacking on six touchdowns. He also had 83 yards passing with another score through the air as a passer.
Hill will turn 34 this August, still carrying cap hits of $15.8 million and $15.8 million in each of the next two seasons.
After a breakout season in 2022, Juwan Johnson took a step back last year.
Johnson caught 37 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns over 13 games played, seeing his yards per catch go from 12.1 yards in 2022 down to 9.9 yards per grab last season.
Johnson caught more than four passes in just two of his 13 games, topping 50 yards receiving just once.
He is only signed through this season.
Foster Moreau and Michael Jacobson are each under contract for multiple seasons.
Offensive Line Depth Chart, Saints:
LT: Trevor Penning, Oli Udoh
LG: James Hurst, Mark Evans
C: Erik McCoy
RG: Cesar Ruiz, Nick Saldiveri
RT: Ryan Ramczyk, Landon Young, Tommy Kraemer
What was once a strength has turned into a problem area for the Saints in recent years.
The Saints ended the season ranking 28th in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric while ranking 26th in collective pass blocking grade as a team per Pro Football Focus.
They also were 25th in run-blocking grade per PFF.
Health was once again an issue on this front.
The Saints’ most frequently used combination across the line was on the field for just 25.9% of their offensive snaps, 23rd in the league.
Erik McCoy was the only starter to appear in all 17 games.
After appearing in just six games as a rookie, Trevor Penning was benched after just six games last season.
Penning allowed a team-high 8.1% pressure rate when on the field last season.
Andrus Peat played nearly all of the remaining snaps at left tackle last season, but he remains out in the open market.
Penning was selected in the first round two years ago. He may be given another opportunity to turn things around, but there is no definitive solution at the most vital position on the line.
His first two seasons in the NFL do not prevent New Orleans looking to upgrade the position.
Right tackle Ryan Ramczyk remains the best player on this line, but he also missed five games last season.
Ramczyk will turn 30 this offseason but is currently locked up through the 2026 season.
Both McCoy and Cesar Ruiz are under contract through the 2027 season.
McCoy was still sixth among all centers in overall grade per Pro Football Focus last season.
Ruiz signed a four-year extension last September, but he has ranked 72nd, 58th, 66th, and 65th among guards per Pro Football Focus over his four seasons in the league.
James Hurst is in the final season of his contract after ranking 42nd in grade among guards last season per PFF.
While Saints do have contractual commitments to both Penning and Ruiz, the only strong starters that they currently have on the line are Ramczyk and McCoy.
New Orleans Saints Defense: Depth Chart, Analysis & Draft Needs
Raymond Summerlin breaks down the defensive depth chart by position for the New Orleans Saints, identifying areas where the team could improve in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Defensive Line Depth Chart, Saints:
- Khalen Saunders
- Bryan Bresee
- Nathan Shepherd
- Jack Heflin
- John Penisini
The Saints allowed 4.2 yards per running back carry (19th) and finished 20th in yards before contact allowed per RB rush in 2023.
Signed last offseason, Khalen Saunders held up pretty well against the run, recording a tackle on 18% of his rush defense snaps, but not a ton of those were impactful
He finished with 2 run stuffs on 284 run defense snaps.
A first-round pick last year, Bryan Bresee played over 100 fewer snaps against the run and finished with 6 run stuffs.
Bresee got a lot more opportunities as a pass rusher, and he delivered 4.5 sacks and an 8.4% pressure rate.
Nathan Shepherd was the other primary member of the rotation.
He finished ahead of both Saunders and Bresee in PFF’s run stop percentage metric, and he had 3 sacks of his own with an 8.7% pressure rate.
Once one of the toughest defenses against the run, the Saints have struggled each of the last two seasons.
They could look to add someone here to help on early downs.
EDGE Depth Chart, Saints:
- Cameron Jordan
- Chase Young
- Carl Granderson
- Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Payton Turner
- Isaiah Foskey
- Niko Lalos
New Orleans finished 22nd in pressure rate and recorded 34 sacks (28th) last season.
Heading into his age-35 season, Cameron Jordan is coming off his least productive season since his rookie year way back in 2011.
An ankle injury limited Jordan over the second half of the season, helping to explain his down year, but he is clearly in the twilight of his career.
The Saints added Chase Young to this group in free agency after he was traded to the 49ers midway through last season.
He was not as productive in San Francisco, but he did log a solid 7.5 sacks and 14.7% pressure rate over his time with both teams.
That pressure rate was easily the best of his career.
The concern with Young is health, especially since he is expected to be sidelined into training camp after undergoing neck surgery.
The Saints knew about the injury, so they have to feel comfortable about Young playing this season, but his injury history raises concerns.
Carl Granderson played the most snaps among the edge group last season and led the team with 8.5 sacks.
Granderson stood out against the run, leading the team with 15 run stuffs and finishing 20th among EDGE defenders in PFF’s run stop percentage metric.
Under contract through 2027, Granderson looks like the most reliable long-term option on the roster.
Tanoh Kpassagnon contributed in a rotational role last season, logging 3.5 sacks and a 13.5% pressure rate.
This unit looks good assuming Young is healthy, and they probably have enough to get by even if he is not.
Even if Young is healthy, though, he is only under contract for one year, and Jordan is nearing the end of his career.
The long-term plan for this unit might need to be addressed.
Linebacker Depth Chart, Saints:
- Demario Davis
- Pete Werner
- Willie Gay
- Khaleke Hudson
- D’Marco Jackson
- Nephi Sewell
- Monty Rice
- Anfernee Orji
The Saints defense is the hub of timeless players with Demario Davis set to join Cameron Jordan in his age-35 season in 2024.
Unlike Jordan, Davis is coming off yet another year of high-end production.
Davis finished 7th among all linebackers in yards per target allowed in coverage and recorded 14 stuffs in the running game.
He also added 6.5 sacks to the mix for the second season in a row.
Davis has shown no signs of slowing down, and he likely will be a quality option again this season.
Pete Werner was the other primary option at linebacker last season.
The 2021 second-round pick was solid enough against the run, but he struggled in coverage.
That had not been a problem area for him prior to last season, so it is possible he bounces back in the final year of his rookie deal.
The Saints added Willie Gay to the mix in free agency, signing him to a one-year deal.
He was a consistently solid option during his time with the Chiefs and could take snaps away from Werner.
This unit looks set for 2024, but there are serious long-term questions given Davis’ age and that both Werner and Gay will be free agents after the season.
Cornerback Depth Chart, Saints:
- Marshon Lattimore
- Paulson Adebo
- Alontae Taylor
- Faion Hicks
- Rejzohn Wright
The Saints gave up 6.8 yards per attempt (10th) and finished 13th in EPA per dropback in 2023.
Marshon Lattimore was limited to 10 games last season after playing in just seven in 2022, but he continued to be a good coverage option when on the field.
There are rumors the Saints could trade Lattimore, which would obviously change the look of this unit.
Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor ended up playing the most snaps among this group last season.
A third-round pick in 2021, Adebo is coming off his best season, allowing just a 62.7 passer rating in his coverage.
He is heading into the final year of his rookie deal.
A 2022 second-round pick, Taylor took a step back from his rookie season but still was solid primarily playing from the slot.
The depth chart behind those top three is thin, Lattimore’s future is unclear, and Adebo is not under contract for 2025.
All of those factors make this a position the Saints could target.
Safety Depth Chart, Saints:
- Tyrann Mathieu
- Jordan Howden
- Johnathan Abram
- J.T. Gray
- Ugo Amadi
Tyrann Mathieu is back after signing a two-year deal this offseason.
He is heading into his age-32 season, but Mathieu was still playing at a high level last year and is a solid anchor for this group.
A fifth-round pick last year, Jordan Howden played the most snaps among the other options at safety last season.
He struggled in coverage, giving up 8.5 yards per target, but he is a young player who could take a step forward this season.
The Saints brought back Johnathan Abram in free agency.
The former first-round pick was not a major factor most of the season, but he started the final two games.
New Orleans could get by with this group, but a high-end starter next to Mathieu would be a welcome addition.
Pre Order the Best Analytical 2024 Football Preview
Don’t miss out on Warren Sharp’s 500+ page preview of the 2024 NFL season.
The preview is unlike anything you have ever seen, featuring stunning visualizations built with the reader in mind.
This preview shares insights into players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal in mind: to prepare you for the 2024 NFL season by delivering the smartest information in the fastest, most direct way possible.
Pre order the 2024 Football Preview now!
