Early returns on the New Orleans Saints' 2024 draft class have been positive, but it only counts if you see that impact on the field.
So what might that have to look like for the group of seven players selected this past weekend? WWL Radio's Deuce McCallister set some simple goals on this week's special edition of Second Guess from the Silver Slipper Casino Hotel.
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"You won’t have an ’06, you won’t have a ’17 type class for years. So, if you have, of your seven picks, if you have four guys that can go in and contribute, I think that is a fairly good draft for this Saints team,” McAllister told WWL draft analyst Mike Detillier.
So who might those players be? The two obvious candidates are the top two picks with OT Taliese Fuaga and CB Kool-Aid McKinstry. Beyond that it gets more complicated. QB Spencer Rattler will be competing for the backup job behind Derek Carr and Khristian Boyd will have an uphill climb impacting the roster from a crowded DT room. But how about at WR and LB? Bub Means and Jaylan Ford might be the answers, particularly if they can have an impact on special teams.
“This team is still looking for a third receiver. We can say it’s A.T. Perry, he may be the guy, so OK, you have a top three receiver. Where’s your fourth guy? Where’s your fourth receiver? So there’s opportunity for a draftee or an undrafted free agent to be able to come in and make a play," McAllister continued. "It’s up to those players and it’s up to the coaches to develop him.”
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Draft classes typically can't be evaluated until 2 to 3 years down the road, but early impacts can make a world of difference. The 2023 draft class had that with Bryan Bresee, but second and third rounders Isaiah Foskey and Kendre Miller struggled to stay healthy. Still, impacts from safety Jordan Howden and A.T. Perry give reason for optimism. It's the type of draft class that can help restock a roster. Conversely classes like 2018 have the opposite effect, with not one player still on the team from the class headlined by Marcus Davenport and Tre'Quan Smith.
The Saints have more patience and stability in their front office then most organizations, but the ability to rebuild through the draft will play a major role in how long that lasts.
"That group knows that, and I mean head coach, general, scouts, they have to have success. … They have to do a better job of hitting on personnel, particularly in the draft class," McAllister continued. "And you know why they have to do a better job? How much room do you have with your salary cap? And the reason is, you went all in with Drew and that group, and so now if I am not getting young talent to fill in and be able to produce, then now it shows up even more."