In a recent draft grades article for the NFC South published by NFL.com’s Eric Edholm, the New Orleans Saints received a C+ for their performance with the rookie class. The evaluation painted a picture of promise mixed with areas of improvement for the Saints’ newest additions.
The write-up highlighted that while Bryan Bresee didn’t start any games, he was a consistent part of the DT rotation. Notably, his performance improved towards the end of the season, with a significant portion of his production, including 3 out of his 4.5 sacks and 5 of his 9 QB hits, coming in December. Despite a midseason lull, Bresee’s run defense improved, suggesting he could be a reliable asset for the Saints moving forward.
Jordan Howden, who started seven games, was a pleasant surprise for the team. Versatile in his role, he played as a high safety, moonlighted in the slot, and served as a box safety, proving reasonably dependable. In contrast, Foskey, who was selected three rounds higher than Howden, saw more action on special teams and was frequently inactive later in the season due to a quad injury, leading to expectations of more contributions in 2024.
Jake Haener experienced what Edholm described as a “redshirt type of season,” not seeing any game action as he sat behind quarterbacks Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, and Taysom Hill. His preseason struggles with accuracy and interceptions mean he’ll need a solid offseason to secure his roster spot for the next season. Similarly, Nick Saldiveri had a quiet rookie year, notably impacted by a shoulder injury and the Saints’ ongoing offensive line issues.
Rookies A.T. Perry and Kendre Miller ended the season on high notes, showing potential in limited opportunities. Miller’s standout performance in Week 18 offered hope for a more regular role in the RB rotation next season. Perry’s big-play capability was on full display in the final game against Atlanta, hinting at possible strides in their development for the next season.
The Saints’ rookie kicking duo, Blake Grupe and Lou Hedley, experienced ups and downs throughout the season. After a promising start, Grupe faced challenges with missed clutch kicks and decreasing kickoff distance but improved towards the season’s end. Hedley, the 30-year-old Australian punter, showcased his skill as a directional kicker but lacked the leg strength for field-flipping punts, a critical aspect of the team’s special teams strategy.
Overall, the Saints’ rookie class showed flashes of potential and areas for growth, with expectations set for further contributions and improvements in the 2024 season.
Analysis of Draft Grade
I think Edholm’s grade of a C+ for the Saints 2023 rookie class is fair. A significant portion of the rookies were unavailable for most of the 2023 campaign. However, going into 2024, these players must give the Saints coaching staff a glimpse of their potential as long-term contributors. Veterans such as Cam Jordan, Tyrann Mathieu, and Demario Davis are no longer in the primes of their careers, so the 2023 rookie class and future talents must yield a positive return on investment.
Their development is the only way New Orleans can offset the significant amount of dead money they are currently on the hook for. An intriguing storyline heading into training camp will be if Jake Haener can insert himself as the Saints’ primary option at the backup QB position and possibly a future starter. He will be working with the new Saints offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak.
New Beginnings: Saints set the stage for an offensive revamp.https://t.co/oedEU3EwG1
— Saints Discussions (@saintsd23) February 5, 2024
Jordan Howden’s production in training camp could make veteran Marcus Maye a movable in the future. Talents such as A.T. Perry and Kendre Miller have the potential to become cornerstone players on offense. The 2023 rookie class’s overall performance was not outstanding, but it wasn’t terrible. The upcoming season will be crucial for Dennis Allen and determine if New Orleans has another group of young, reliable contributors.
You can read Edholm’s full breakdown of all NFC South rookie classes here.
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