In the 2024 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints hold the 14th overall pick in the first round. It’s a spot where there will be a handful of great prospects still available. They must take advantage.
The Saints have clear needs on their roster. Offensive tackle, tight end, and interior defensive line are the three spots looking for the most upside in the draft.
5 players on the Saints’ first-round wishlist ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft
Option #1: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Fashanu has been the top prospect mocked to the Saints for over a month now. He’s arguably the second-best OT in the class, and New Orleans desperately needs a starter at tackle. He headlines this list as a realistic option at 14th overall.
#PennState LT Olu Fashanu. OT1.
• Prototype build.
• Phenomenal fluidity & balance.
• Strike variety ++.
• Functional strength ++ (insane core strength).
• Veteran tempo. Process is never too sped up.
• Scheme proof. Plug & play wherever.
• Still only 21 y/o. pic.twitter.com/jhRAukeXU7— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) February 21, 2024
Option #2: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Fuaga, similar to Fashanu, is a projected top 20 pick at OT. He may go as early as the top 10. He’s a mountain of a man and uses his size well. Some scouts believe he’s the most NFL-ready OT prospect outside of Joe Alt in this year’s class.
Option #3: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Tight end remains a need for the Saints offense. While it is not as dire as OT, Bowers is a legitimate game changer on offense. If he’s there at 14, it will be a tough choice for the Saints to pass on him. Juwan Johnson is a solid starter at TE, but Bowers provides a different level of upside.
BROCK BOWERS IS A MACHINE 😨
78 YARDS. THIRD TD TODAY
(via @GeorgiaFootball)pic.twitter.com/NWbvzwKKIV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 17, 2022
Option #4: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Latham rounds out the tackle options here. He possesses NFL size and is also expected to go in the top 20 picks. Similar to Fashanu, his pass protection is really impressive, but he needs work in the run game.
Option #5: Byron Murphy, IDL, Texas
Interior defensive line is not a strength for the Saints defense. Bryan Bresee flashed in his rookie season, but they need more young talent there. If the top OT options and Bowers are off the board, Murphy probably remains. He’s arguably a top ten overall talent in the class and would create a duo for New Orleans’ interior that no offense would want to see.
Byron Murphy with another sack, this dude is a grave digger. pic.twitter.com/h9dG7ciiOt
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) November 19, 2023
It will be interesting to see what direction the Saints go in round one.
