Saints Draft Grades: What are the experts saying about the 2024 class?

The New Orleans Saints added seven new players to their roster in the 2024 NFL Draft. In the first round, they selected Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State to bolster their offensive line. On Day 2, they added to their secondary with Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry.

The third and final day of the draft saw the Saints select Spencer Rattler, Bub Means, Jaylan Ford, Khristian Ford, and Josiah Ezirim. Rattler was a pick that was talked about a lot since six quarterbacks went in the first round and then none until the Saints called Rattler's name in the fifth round.

How are the draft analysts feeling about the Saints' selections? Let's do a draft grades round up and see what everyone is saying!

Saints 2024 Draft Grades

Trevor Sikkema, PFF: A+

Sikkema LOVED what New Orleans did in the draft. He wrote up blurbs for every Saints selection and for Fuaga, he said "There’s a lot to like about Fuaga as a run blocker, coming off an elite 90.9 PFF run-blocking grade for Oregon State in 2023."

Every pick received praise from Sikkema, even their final pick in the draft. On Ezirim, Sikkema said, "Ezirim has solid feet and consistently puts his frame in athletic positions. He can be a hidden gem."

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A-

Reuter really liked the Saints' first two days of the draft, giving them A- grades for both of those nights. He gave them a B for their Day 3 selections. He said that "Fuaga and the Saints seemed like a perfect pairing" and that McKinstry is a first-round value. High praise here from Reuter.

"New Orleans took a step forward in the NFC South race this weekend. Fuaga and the Saints seemed like a perfect pairing, with the nasty lineman fitting the team's mold and filling a big need. They traded up in Round 2 for McKinstry, a potential first-round value at a position where you can never have enough talent."

- Chad Reuter

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B+

The lowest grade out of the included draft pundits is still a pretty solid grade, as Prisco gave NOLA a B+ for their draft efforts. He said that Bub Means was their best pick, noting that he's "a long receiver who can run". He said that he didn't really dislike any of their picks but when forced to pick someone, he said McKinstry due to the recent foot injury he sustained.

Ultimately, Prisco was a fan of what the Saints did so I'm curious why he gave them a B+ and not a grade in the A-range. He said they addressed their issues with their first two selections and applauded them for landing value picks as well.

"They addressed major problems with their first two picks, taking tackle Taliese Fuaga in the first round and then McKinstry in the second. Fuaga will be a plug-and-play starter, while McKinstry could start. Means and fifth-round quarterback Spencer Rattler are nice value picks. "

- Pete Prisco