New Orleans Saints NFL draft picks 2024: Full list of team's round-by-round selections
Here is a 2024 NFL draft pick-by-pick breakdown for the New Orleans Saints:
Round 1 (No. 14 overall) — Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State: A right tackle for the Beavers, Fuaga is excellent in pass protection and especially nasty as a run blocker. He becomes the first Round 1 O-lineman in Oregon State’s history and can probably play anywhere up front aside from center. And there's certainly a need in the Big Easy given the performance, or lack thereof, thus far by former first-round LT Trevor Penning plus the knee issues and cost associated with RT Ryan Ramczyk. But, given the abuse he took in 2023, QB Derek Carr has to be grinning. Draft tracker
Round 2 (41, from Jets through Packers) — Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: A two-time All-SEC selection who went through his pro day paces on a broken foot – running a sub-4.5 40 in the process – he's got first-round ability and, certainly, toughness. Doesn't turn the ball over much with just two INTs in three seasons for Bama. Over three seasons, he only surrendered three TD passes. Draft tracker
Round 5 (150) — Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina: Rattler's a tough read. He transferred from Oklahoma to South Carolina and played well despite having one of the least consistent offensive line groups in the conference. His athleticism and impressive arm talent makes up for his less-than-ideal size. He could develop into a long-term starter to succeed Derek Carr in New Orleans and that makes this a great value in Round 5. Draft tracker
Round 5 (170, compensatory selection) — Bub Means, WR, Pittsburgh: Last year, New Orleans took A.T. Perry in Round 6. They continue a late-round ACC wide receiver tradition by taking Means here. His rare hand size, wingspan, and vertical jump give him an incredible catch radius. But his lack of route running will limit his immediate impact. Draft tracker
Round 5 (175, compensatory selection) — Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas: Ford is a solid athlete with NFL size at the position and a nose for the ball (27.5 career tackles for loss). He may struggle in coverage against better athletes but he knows how to operate in zone coverage over the middle. Draft tracker
Round 6 (199, from Eagles) — Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa: Boyd was left out of the combine despite impressive tape. He's an impact performer against the run and uses his size to take up space on the interior. He has flashes of pass rush potential but needs to improve that to become a long term contributor. He's a good investment given New Orleans' aging defensive line and could provide lots of upside down the road. Draft tracker
Round 7 (239, from Rams through Broncos) — Josiah Ezirim, OT, Eastern Kentucky: Ezirim's new to the position after starting out as a defensive lineman in college. That aggression from his prior position translates in run blocking, where he excels. He needs time to adjust more to his new position and could be key down the line with Ryan Ramczyk's health a question mark in the future. Draft tracker
New Orleans Saints' recent top draft picks
2023 (No. 29 overall): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
2022 (No. 11 overall): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
2021 (No. 28 overall): Payton Turner, DE, Houston
2020 (No. 24 overall): Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
2019 (No. 48 overall): Erik McCoy, C, Texas A&M
Previous drafts: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
2024 NFL draft: Every team's picks
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Orleans Saints NFL draft picks 2024: Round-by-round selections
