Going into 2024, the New Orleans Saints are in an interesting spot. Coming off a 9-8 season, tied for the best record in the NFC South, they are still in a position to compete. However, New Orleans has needs that must be addressed if they are going to remain competitive next season.
With that understood, it is necessary for the Saints to not only draft the right players, but at the right positions. Here are the 3 positions that New Orleans must address during the draft to remain competitive.
3. Offensive tackle
The offensive tackle position is a massive need going into the NFL Draft. They need help on both the left and the right side. Last year’s Week 1 starters, Ryan Ramczyk and Trevor Penning, have major question marks going into next season. Ryan Ramczyk is dealing with a knee issue worse than what was expected going into the offseason. It is unclear if the former All-Pro will be able to play next season. Trevor Penning is different, as he just needs to develop. Penning had an awful year last season, but he still has potential, he just needs to start figuring it out.
This year's NFL Draft class is super deep at the tackle position. There are amazing options in all rounds. Whether it’s Olu Fashanu in the first, Kiran Amagedjie in the second, or Roger Rosengarten in the fifth. All of these options would make a ton of sense. General Manager Mickey Loomis will have his pick of which player and when he would like to address the need. Finding the right selection for the Saints in 2024 is necessary for the Saints to be able to compete next year.
2. Left guard
Left guard is a need that often gets overshadowed by the tackle positions. With former starter James Hurst getting older and older, the Saints can’t trust that he will be able to hold down the position. Although they selected Nick Saldiveri in the fourth round last year, he has dealt with an injury and can’t be trusted to take over the starting role. There still is hope that Saldiveri can blossom into a starting-caliber player but it isn’t a given by any means.
If the Saints desire to, they can select Troy Fatanu with the 14th-overall pick and move him to left guard. Most analysts think that Fatanu’s long-term position in the NFL is at guard. It could be tough to justify selecting a guard at pick 14, but is an option the Saints could do.
There are later options such as Cooper Beebe, Christian Hayes, Zak Zinter, and Javion Cohen who the Saints could invest in to challenge Hurst and Saldiveri for the starting role. This is something that the Saints should think about doing. Even if they don’t start on day one, they will push the player who does to new levels. Investing in a player at left guard is a necessity if the Saints want to compete next year.
1. Defensive tackle
Defensive tackle is a need that hasn’t been talked about as much because of their need for a defensive end. With the signing of Chase Young, the defensive end room is looking a lot better. It could still use work but finding a defensive tackle is currently a much bigger need.
Finding someone who can rush the quarterback would be nice, but finding someone to help stop the run is needed. This offseason, the team lost one of its best run defenders, Malcolm Roach. Last year the Saints were unable to stop the run at certain times. They can’t expect their run defense to get better without addressing it. If the Saints want to be competitive next year they can’t have teams run for 228 yards in a game, like the Atlanta Falcons did in week 12. Not finding someone who can stop this would be a detriment to the team’s success in 2024.
This doesn’t have to be addressed early in the draft. It could be, but it doesn’t have to. There are plenty of late-round options such as Khristian Boyd, who the Saints have had a top-30 visit with, who could come in and fit the role perfectly. It is key to find someone that the Saints like and think could step into that run-defender role. The Saints need to address defensive tackle if they want to be competitive next year.