Rookie report card: Grading the Saints 2024 draft class after Week 9
lukeloffredo
·2 min read
Nov 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) celebrates with offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (75) and New Orleans Saints center Cesar Ruiz (51) after making a touchdown in the second qarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Saints officially hit rock bottom after a loss to the then-1-7 Carolina Panthers in Week 9. Unfortunately, they didn't seem to get much of any help from their rookie players in their efforts to win either. Most of this years class was inactive last week which was almost the opposite just a week ago. Injuries upon injuries, as well as a change at quarterback, led to minimal impact in Sunday's game.
Let's see what our Week 9 grades came out to be for the Saints 2024 rookie class:
LT Taliese Fuaga
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: Taliese Fuaga #75 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 08, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Fuaga's performance took a slight dip last week posting a 62.2 grade according to PFF. Mainly taking a toll in the run game where his grade dropped from 77.3 in Week 8 to 60.7 in Week 9.
Grade: B+
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 22: Kool-Aid McKinstry #14 of the New Orleans Saints pregame against the Philadelphia Eagle at Caesars Superdome on September 22, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/Getty Images)
McKinstry was inactive for this game with a hamstring injury.
Grade: n/a
QB Spencer Rattler
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Spencer Rattler #18 of the New Orleans Saints looks on prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Rattler was technically inactive for this game, but served as the team's emergency quarterback with Derek Carr back in the fold.
Grade: n/a
WR Bub Means
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: Bub Means #16 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 08, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Bub means was inactive for this game with an ankle injury.
Grade: n/a
LB Jaylan Ford
Sep 29, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Jaylan Ford (53) on the field against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Ford was a healthy inactive for this game.
Grade: n/a
DT Khristian Boyd
Nov 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd (97) during pre-game warm ups at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Boyd was credited with his first run stuff of the season this past week which is a positive for the player as he was inactive the week prior.
Grade: C-
OT Josiah Ezirim
Aug 20, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Josiah Ezirim (72) during practice at Yulman Stadium (Tulane). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Ezirim remains on the team's practice squad.
Grade: n/a
WR Mason Tipton
Sep 29, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mason Tipton (84) on the field against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Tipton ended up being the teams no. 2 wideout by games end but didn't receive a single target in Week 9.
Grade: C
P Matthew Hayball
Nov 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints punter Matt Hayball (43) punts in the second qarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Hayball punted 4 times for an average of 42.3 per punt. Pretty underwhelming day overall.
Grade: C+
CB Rico Payton
Oct 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Rico Payton (36) is guard by Denver Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith (1) on a kickoff during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Payton had a chance to suit up and start but ultimately couldn't go as we was inactive for this game with a back injury.
Grade: n/a
TE Dallin Holker
Aug 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Dallin Holker (85) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Holker was back up this week after being inactive in Week 8, however he didn't receive any targets and was caught with a crucial 4th quarter holding call which set the team back late in the game.
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