Recent history shows the Saints should be excited about having the 14th pick in draft

On Thursday, the 2024 NFL draft will start. The first round will take place on Thursday, with the second and third rounds happening on Friday, and the final four rounds on Saturday. In the first round, the round that draws all the headlines, the New Orleans Saints currently posses the 14th-overall pick.

Historically, 14 has been a pretty good spot for the Saints. In franchise history, New Orleans has drafted at 14 three times. The three players selected were Marcus Davenport in 2018, Malcolm Jenkins in 2009, and Renaldo Turnbull in 1990. Jenkins and Turnbull had really good stints with New Orleans, and Davenport had a solid time with the team as well.

Beyond the Saints, the 14th-overall pick has been a pretty good slot in recent years. A look back at the previous five 14th picks shows the Saints should be excited.

Recent 14th-overall picks

In the 2023 Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected offensive tackle Broderick Jones. As a rookie, Jones started 11 games for the Steelers, playing in all 17. Most impressive from Jones’ rookie season is the fact that he entered the league as a left tackle, but lined up at right tackle for Pittsburgh, and did a pretty good job.

The year before that, the 2022 Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected safety Kyle Hamilton. What more needs to be said. After just two years, Hamilton is already recognized as one of the best players in the NFL. In 2023, he was a Pro Bowler and named First-Team All-Pro.

In the three drafts prior to that, three linemen were taken with the 14th-overall pick. In 2021, the New York Jets selected OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, in 2020, the San Francisco 49ers drafted DT Javon Kinlaw, and in 2019, the Atlanta Falcons selected guard Chris Lindstorm. Lindstorm has been a Pro Bowler the last two seasons, Kinlaw has been a productive member of the 49ers dominant defense, and Vera-Tucker offered the Jets versatile offensive line play, but has been impacted by an Achilles injury over the last two seasons.

Of the last five 14th-overall picks, three have been offensive linemen. The Saints will likely add another offensive lineman to the club since they have a need for a tackle. Hopefully, New Orleans’ selected lineman will pan out like the others have.

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