At the 2024 NFL Combine players showed out. A lot of player's draft stocks were impacted, both negatively and positively. Some players will now likely be drafted higher, while others will go lower. Each team will decide the fate of all the prospects.
The New Orleans are, of course, one of the teams in the equation. With several positions of need, the Saints were certainly locked in on multiple positions at the combine. How did the performances affect New Orleans’ draft strategy? Let’s take a look at how a Saints’ draft might look now that the Combine is over.
Round 1 Pick 14: Olumuyiwa Fashanu - Offensive Tackle, Penn State
With the 14th overall pick, I have the Saints selecting Olumuyiwa Fashanu, offensive tackle out of Penn State. Offensive tackle is a massive need for the Saints this offseason. The inconsistencies at the position have hurt the Saints in recent years. Ryan Ramczyk has been injury-prone, Trevor Penning has been inconsistent, and Andrus Peat is a free agent. Picking up Fashanu would instantly fill a hole at the tackle spot and he could be the Saints franchise tackle.
Olu Fashanu is as NFL-ready as a tackle prospect can come. He hasn’t allowed a single sack in his 1,349 career snaps. Achieving that in the Big 10 is no easy feat. In 2023 he didn’t even allow a single hurry to the quarterback. Fashanu combines his great frame with elite athleticism making it extremely difficult to get to the quarterback.
Fashanu is a perfect prospect for the Saints. At Penn State, they run a zone run game scheme and that is what the Saints are inputting into their offense this year. Fashanu is very quick and plays with a high motor allowing him to reach the second level when needed in the run game. Picking Fashanu at 14 would answer a position that the Saints desperately need help with.
Round 2 Pick 45: Chop Robinson - Defensive End, Penn State.
In the second round, the Saints draft Chop Robinson, defensive end out of Penn State. Defensive End is another position that the Saints need to find an answer to. Last year, New Orleans ranked 28th in the NFL with 34 sacks. Chop Robinson would instantly help to increase that number.
Robinson is a little undersized for the Saints liking, standing at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds. However, the Saints should invest in more speed at the position. Robinson killed it at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash, which put him second among all defensive ends. His 10-yard split was a 1.54 which tied him for first among defensive ends. He is an athletic beast and is exactly what the Saints could use.
Robinson uses a fantastic first step to get past the opposing offensive lineman. He is an amazing prospect, the only thing about him that is lacking is his college production. This past season, he played 303 snaps and only totaled three sacks. He needs to develop more moves in the pass rush but that will come with reps. His elite athleticism and his relentless play should allow him to be an elite pass rusher for the Saints for years to come.
Round 5 Pick 149: Isaac Guerendo - Half Back, Louisville
With their first of four fifth-round picks, the Saints pick up Isaac Guerendo, the running back from Louisville. Guerendo was one of the best performers in the NFL Combine, making his name known. He would help develop depth at a position that the Saints were lacking last year.
Jamaal Williams didn’t have a great year for the Saints. Guerendo could fill in that type of role. He ranked first among all running backs in the 40-yard dash at a blazing 4.33. His explosiveness was also shown with his 41.5-inch vertical jump (ranking No. 1) and his 10-foot-8-inch broad jump (ranking No. 2). He is an extremely explosive and dynamic player.
Guerendo is very athletic and has deceptive speed. Last year at Louisville, he ran for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was very successful when he touched the ball, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. While he is a powerful runner, he needs to work on sharpening his cuts but if he does that Isaac Guerendo will be a productive player at the next level.
Round 5 Pick 167: Luke McCaffrey - Wide Receiver, Rice
At pick 167, the Saints select Luke McCaffrey, the wide receiver from Rice. Last year at Rice, McCaffrey had 71 receptions for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns. He doesn’t contain elite vertical speed, he only ran a 4.46 40-yard dash (ranking 19th among receivers), but McCaffrey has the elite ability to change directions on a dime. At the Combine he ranked second among all receivers in the 3-cone drill and first in the 20-yard shuttle.
McCaffrey is a great deep-ball receiver, with a good frame standing at 6-foot-2. He is also a very smart player. He started his collegiate career as a quarterback at the University of Nebraska. When zone coverage is played, he understands how to make himself open for the quarterback. Luke McCaffrey would provide much-needed depth at wide receiver for the Saints.
Round 5 Pick 169: Joe Milton III - Quarterback, Tennessee
Just two picks after their last selection the Saints pick up Joe Milton III, quarterback out of Tennessee. This late in the draft, there is practically no risk in selecting a player such as Joe Milton III. At the NFL Combine, he put his arm talent on full display. Some of his shorter passes were off the mark a little bit, but Milton’s deep passes fully made up for it. He threw multiple passes over 70 yards. His arm talent alone warrants this pick. He needs to get significantly more accurate but if he can do that, he will be a dynamic quarterback in the NFL.
Round 5 Pick 174: Nehemiah Pritchett - Cornerback, Auburn
With their final fifth-round pick, the Saints select Nehemiah Pritchett, the cornerback coming from Auburn. Pritchett wins with his speed and acceleration. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.36 40-yard dash (fourth among cornerbacks) and a 1.49 10-yard split (tied for third). He has good size standing at 6’0 and 190 pounds. He will need to get stronger, that’s his biggest flaw. In the NFL, he has the ability to be a great player if he can get stronger. As is, he will help provide depth at cornerback for the Saints.
Round 6 Pick 192: Julian Pearl - Tackle, Illinois
In the sixth round, the Saints grab Julian Pearl, the versatile offensive lineman from Illinois. The Saints love their versatile offensive lineman. They picked Nick Saldiveri in the past draft just for that. Pearl has played all over the offensive line at Illinois. He has a great frame at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds. Pearl has a staggering 7-foot-1-inch wingspan. He is very raw but his frame and versatility could help the Saints if he is developed right.
Round 6 Pick 200: Steele Chambers - Linebacker, Ohio State
With their final pick in the draft, the Saints select Steele Chambers, the linebacker from Ohio State. Chambers is a former running back who uses his athletic ability to make plays. In the 3-cone drill, he tied for first among linebackers, and in the 20-yard shuttle he stood alone at No. 1. He is a very small linebacker at 6-foot-1 but he has plenty of potential. He has the ability to cover and the athleticism to make plays in the run game.