Grading the Saints 2024 Draft Class: New Orleans adds depth and upside with batch of rookies

That's a wrap for the 2024 NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints made their picks and signed some free agents afterwards. 

Overall, the fans and the team are quite excited about the draft class. They should be, too.

New Orleans Saints 2024 NFL draft pick grades

1st round, No. 14 overall | Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State

Grade: A

New Orleans got an NFL-ready starting OT in the middle of round one. Fuaga was the best run blocker in the class and gives the Saints even ore grit and tenacity upfront. 

2nd round, No. 41 overall (from NY Jets via Green Bay) | Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Grade: A

McKinstry was one of the best value picks of the draft. Many folks around the draft scene saw him as a round one talent. The Saints made a strength (their secondary) even stronger with his addition.

5th round, No. 150 overall | Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

Grade: B

The Saints grabbed young, exciting upside at QB on day three. Once a projected first-rounder, Rattler will battle for the backup job throughout camp and give the Saints plenty to think about regarding QB play after Derek Carr.

5th round, No. 170 overall (compensatory) | Bub Means, WR, Pitt

Grade: A

Means is the ideal big-body target that the Saints needed. At almost 6'2, he fits the type of receiver that they needed most in this draft. This pick may be their most underrated.

5th round, No. 175 overall (compensatory) | Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas

Grade: B-

6th round, No. 199 overall (from Philadelphia) | Khristian Boyd, DL, Northern Iowa

Grade: B+

7th round, No. 239 overall (from LA Rams via Denver) | Josiah Ezirim, OL, Eastern Kentucky

Grade: C+