2024 NFL Draft Grades: New Orleans Saints

Day 1 grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A-
Day 3 grade: B

Analysis: 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.

Rattler will learn how to lead a team and take advantage of his physical gifts from a consummate professional in Derek Carr. He should compete against Jake Haener for the backup spot. Means is a tough receiver with athleticism and could fight for a roster spot. Ford's a pounder inside and I love Boyd's value in the sixth round. He can stuff run plays and get in the face of quarterbacks more often than you'd think.

Top needs entering the draft: Linebacker, wide receiver, edge defender, offensive tackle

The Saints entered this draft with problems at both tackle spots. Trevor Penning, a first-rounder in 2022, has struggled badly at left tackle, while veteran Ryan Ramczyk is dealing with a knee injury that has his NFL future in jeopardy. Their line as a whole ranked 28th in pass block win rate in 2023 (51.3%). I wanted to see them come away with a pro-ready lineman who could compete for one of those spots. That's exactly what they got in Taliese Fuaga (14), a nasty blocker in the run game with great feet as a pass-protector. He was my top-ranked tackle on the board when New Orleans got on the clock.

Fuaga spent his college career at right tackle, but I wouldn't be shocked if he got a chance on the left side to see if he could make the conversion. The fact is New Orleans got better on Day 1. On Day 2, it traded up a few spots to snag Kool-Aid McKinstry (41), a really talented cornerback who doesn't have elite speed. He's physical in press coverage. He's going to be a good pro.

The Saints didn't have third- or fourth-round selections, but their fifth-rounder was one of the most interesting picks on Day 3. There's a scenario in which Spencer Rattler (150) is their starting quarterback in a few years. He has the arm talent and accuracy to develop behind Derek Carr. Fun fact, via ESPN Stats & Info: There were 137 picks made between quarterbacks being drafted (Bo Nix at No. 12 and Rattler at No. 150), the longest span between QBs being selected in the common draft era (since 1967). I listed Bub Means (170) as my favorite wide receiver before the draft; he was a Round 5 steal. I also like defensive tackle Khristian Boyd (199).

I gave New Orleans a low grade a year ago, but I don't see much wrong with its haul this time. GM Mickey Loomis did a fine job this weekend.

THE SAINTS MADE JUST TWO PICKS ON THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF THE DRAFT, BUT MADE BOTH OF THEM COUNT. Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga is a tough and physical blocker who gives the team flexibility to fill its right tackle spot or to drop him in at guard. Alabama corner Kool-Aid McKinstry plays a tenacious brand of coverage and brings ball-skills to break up passes at the catch point. Both should be starters right away. I liked the team's selection of quarterback Spencer Rattler as well. He's a potential bargain in the fifth round, and gives the Saints a developmental backup with some upside to start behind Derek Carr. This is a less-than-flashy and characteristically top-heavy haul, but New Orleans did address a few positions of need.

First-round OT Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State) and second-round CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama) are good players at positions of need. Previous trades stripped the Saints of third- and fourth-rounders. And while a Round 5 spot spent on South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler isn't hugely expensive, the team already had five quarterbacks on the roster if you also include Taysom Hill. Maybe Rattler's a lottery ticket ... and maybe a squad that seems to be falling behind in the NFC South should have prioritized other aspects of its depth chart.

The Saints made two strong picks at the top of the class, addressing a glaring need with tackle Taliese Fuaga and moving up to get corner Kool-Aid McKinstry, seen by many as a potential first-round pick. Hit on your first two picks, it's a good draft, but there's not a ton more to this. Spencer Rattler isn't a bad pick, but they used a 2024 fourth to get Jake Haener last year, so will both make the 53 alongside starter Derek Carr? —Auman

Best Pick: Fifth-round receiver Bub Means is a long receiver who can run. With a little polish in terms of his route running, Means can become a nice addition to their offense when it comes to the deep ball.

Worst Pick: I actually liked all their picks. I think they had a good draft. If I had to pick one to question it would be corner Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round since he's coming off a foot injury.

The Skinny: 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.

Analysis: Fuaga was the ideal pick to fill the biggest need, and McKinstry was a great second-round value to upgrade the defensive playmaking for Dennis Allen. Rattler was an interesting pick for a faller with some starting upside behind Derek Carr. Overall, the class was solid but nothing too spectacular, leading to the appropriate grade.

Analysis: The Saints played the board well and took a handful of quality players. Fuaga has some position versatility and McKinstry certainly had some first-round grades. Now that the Saints are upgrading to the Kubiak—Shanahan offense, they'll need as much athleticism up front as they can possibly get their hands on.

We always love drafts in which prospects go later than we think they should, and the Saints have three guys who fit that bill. Kool-Aid McKinstry gives Dennis Allen and his staff all kinds of options with Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. And there is no way Spencer Rattler should have lasted until the fifth round. Ignoring the fact that Rattler was good behind the NCAA's worst offensive line, and with one functional receiver in Xavier Legette, and overcooking Rattler's maturity issues from half a decade ago, proves that sometimes, football guys don't know football.

I also love the addition of Bub Means as a speed receiver. Each of those guys should have gone a round earlier than they did, and in Rattler's case, you can double or triple that.

As to the first overall pick, Taliese Fuaga is an ideal ass-kicking tackle who will start right away. Ryan Ramczyk might miss the entire 2024 season due to injury, and Trevor Penning is... well, Trevor Penning.