Way-too-early New Orleans Saints NFL Draft preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.

2023 was supposed to be the Saints' year to take back the NFC South. New Orleans made a splash in free agency last year, signing quarterback Derek Carr to a four-year, $150 million contract. While the team improved throughout the year and was better than in 2022, it still amounted to the Saints missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

The last time that happened in New Orleans was from 2014-16, and the streak was snapped in part due to an outstanding draft class led by 2017's Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The Saints might need another draft of that magnitude to return to the postseason this year.

2023 record: 9-8 | First-round pick: No. 14 | Team needs: OL, EDGE, CB

Potential first-round draft picks: JC Latham, OT, Alabama; Dallas Turner, Alabama, EDGE; Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

New Orleans has spent four first-round picks on offensive linemen since 2015, and there's a strong possibility this year marks the fifth time in the last 10 years it will address the position with its first-round selection.

Alabama's JC Latham has a wild swing in placements in mock drafts, ranging from No. 6 to the Giants to No. 28 to the Bills, which says nothing about his steady presence on Bama's offensive line. From 2021-23, he allowed two sacks in 970 pass-rush opportunities, per Pro Football Focus. In running situations, Latham excelled when zone-blocking, which newly hired Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will likely ask more of from the Saints offensive line. 

Last season, Kubiak served as the offensive passing game specialist for the 49ers and is expected to bring ideas from Shanahan's offense to New Orleans. Per data from PFF, San Francisco's five offensive linemen with the most run-blocking snaps had a zone-block rate of 59.3 percent, markedly higher than New Orleans' top five (47.7 percent).

The Saints may also look to add to a pass rush that struggled to generate consistent pressure in 2023. Latham's Tide teammate, Dallas Turner, is a top-10 talent New Orleans would be blessed to have available at No. 14. He finished his three-year Bama career with 22.5 sacks and 117 total pressures. According to PFF, Turner ranked sixth in pass-rush win rate among the 127 edge-defenders with at least 267 pass-rush opportunities in 2023.

Cornerback is less of a pressing need, but with murmurs of the team potentially parting ways with Lattimore, the position could become much more important. The Saints might insulate themselves from feeling the effects of his potential departure by selecting Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean. He's a versatile defensive back who could be extremely valuable in head coach Dennis Allen's scheme, which relies heavily on his secondary making one-on-one plays. 

Last season, DeJean allowed a 43.5 completion percentage, no touchdowns and two interceptions when targeted.