Saints' Top 2024 NFL Draft Targets

The 2024 NFL draft will be a critical one for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints came close to winning the NFC South last season but fell just a bit short of the playoffs. Unfortunately, cap constraints haven't allowed New Orleans to dramatically improve the roster this offseason.

If the Saints hope to keep up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and rising Atlanta Falcons (now with Kirk Cousins!), general manager Mickey Loomis has to uncover impact players in the draft.

Loomis and the Saints have nine total selections at their disposal. However, their biggest chance to make an impact will come in Round 1. A (likely) early run on quarterbacks should push an elite prospect into New Orleans' range.

With this in mind, let's examine three top prospects who should be firmly on the Saints' radar as they weigh options for the 14th overall pick.

OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 03: Troy Fautanu #OL19 of Washington participates in the 40 yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The Saints will undoubtedly look to get the most out of quarterback Derek Carr in his second campaign with the franchise. Addressing an offensive line that carries numerous questions would be a terrific start.

That's precisely what happened in the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's latest mock draft, which paired New Orleans with Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu.

"[Fautanu] is one of the five best blockers in a loaded class, so securing him at pick No. 14 would not only fill a need for the Saints, but also provide value," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department said.

The Saints need help along the offensive interior, but they could also use depth at tackle. 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning hasn't developed as quickly as New Orleans would have hoped, while right tackle Ryan Ramczyk has battled ongoing knee issues.

The Saints are optimistic about Ramcyzk's future.

"We feel much better about where he's at today than where he was a month, month and a half ago," head coach Dennis Allen said in February, per Luke Johnson of NOLA.com.

Adding insurance would make a ton of sense, though. Fautanu has enough positional versatility to immediately start at guard and eventually move over to left or right tackle if required.

WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

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OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. #11 of the LSU Tigers during their game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Other linemen the Saints might consider in Round 1 include Oregon State lineman Taliese Fuaga, Alabama tackle JC Latham and Georgia tackle Amarius Mims. If New Orleans opts not to address its line, though, it may try supporting Carr with a receiver like LSU's Brian Thomas Jr.

The Saints added Cedrick Wilson Jr. this offseason, and they have capable pass-catchers in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. A.T. Perry also showed glimpses as a rookie last season. They parted with Michael Thomas, however, and could look to pair another playmaker with Olave on the perimeter.

Thomas is the fourth-ranked receiver prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board—after Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze. He's a legitimate playmaker with archetypal size (6'3", 209 lbs) who could help open up New Orleans' offense.

"Thomas has the big-play potential to be a weapon in the NFL. It's hard to find players with his size, speed and instant burst," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

The 2024 class is deep at receiver, but Thomas falls at the top of the second tier. Snagging him could help unlock Carr's potential in new coordinator Klint Kubiak's offense.

CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Terrion Arnold #DB02 of Alabama participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

With many promising quarterbacks, receivers and offensive linemen at the top of the draft class, offense is likely to dominate Round 1. A case could be made, though, for going defense and gabbing a top prospect from a player pool that features less depth.

This year's cornerback class has a handful of starting-caliber prospects at the top, and Alabama's Terrion Arnold is at the top of the list. He combines big-program pedigree with good length (6'0", 189 lbs), sound technique and schematic versatility.

"A complete and well-rounded defender, there isn't much he can't do," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "Arnold performs best when in press man, but he has the versatility to play from off coverage and in zone, with the added versatility of playing from the slot."

The Saints have one standout corner in Marrshon Lattimore, but their overall secondary was merely average in 2023—it ranked 17th in net yards per pass attempt allowed. Adding Arnold would quickly give New Orleans a boost on the back end.

New Orleans might be able to find a starting-caliber lineman or receiver in Round 1—the Saints hold the 45th overall pick—because both positions are deep. However, finding a corner of Arnold's caliber on Day 2 isn't going to happen.