New Orleans Saints Rookies Finish Year With A Flourish

The jury is still out on the entire draft class, but a few Saints rookies flashed glimpses of a bright future for the team.

New Orleans Saints rookies finished the 2023-24 season on a high note after providing little most of the season. The Saints missed out on the playoffs for a third straight year, finishing with a 9-8 record. For much of the year, New Orleans rookie draft picks made little impact outside of first-round pick Bryan Bresee. However, a few of the first year players did flash a glimpse of promise down the stretch. 

Here's a look back at the contributions of each of the Saints rookies in 2023.

Bryan Bresee, DT 

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) throws a pass under pressure from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY

1st Round - 29th overall (Clemson)

• 17 games

• 4.5 sacks

• 9 QB hits 

• 13 pressures 

• 7 tackles for loss 

• 6 passes broken up 

Bresee showed the potential of a future All-Pro. He slumped a bit at mid-season, but was a consistent inside presence all season and improved against the run as the year progressed. Officially, Bresee set a new single season franchise record for sacks by a defensive tackle. Dave Rowe holds the unofficial franchise mark with 5.5 sacks in 1967.

Bresee has incredible explosion off the snap and shows the strength to deal with double-team blocking. A naturally talented pass rusher, he still has tremendous upside in that area as he expands his counter moves. His consistent interior disruption down the stretch helped solidify a run defense that had struggled most of the year.

Bryan Bresee is one of the young building blocks for the Saints going forward. Remember that this was a first round choice that New Orleans didn't even have until they traded former coach Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos. 

Isaiah Foskey, DE

New Orleans Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey (55) rushes against Houston Texans guard Tyler Beach (65). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

2nd Round - #40 overall (Notre Dame)

• 10 games

• 0 sacks

• 1 QB hit

• 5 tackles (0 for loss)

• 1 pass broken up 

Much more was expected from Foskey after 21 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons for the Fighting Irish. He contributed little over the first part of the year, but looked like he was coming on at mid-season. However, a leg injury shelved him for four of the last five contests. On the year, Foskey appeared in only 83 defensive snaps. 

Foskey's lack of production was especially disappointing considering that the Saints managed just 34 sacks, fourth fewest in the NFL. It's way too early to give up on Foskey, a player with good burst and natural bend around the edge. Remember that Cameron Jordan had just one sack his rookie campaign. 

Jordan is coming off a down year and will be 35 at the start of next year, while 2021 first-round choice Payton Turner continues to be plagued by injuries. How the Saints feel about Isaiah Foskey's ability to develop quickly will be very evident by the way New Orleans uses their top two picks in the draft.

Kendre Miller, RB

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (25) picks up yards against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

3rd Round - #71 overall (TCU)

• 8 games

• 156 rushing yards 

• 3.8 per rush 

• 10 receptions 

• 117 receiving yards 

• 1 total touchdown 

Like Foskey, Miller wasn't able to contribute much, largely because of leg injuries. One was sustained during the preseason, limiting his reps during training camp and early in the regular season. Then, as he was carving out a role in the offense, Miller suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for seven games. 

Miller wasn't used much as a runner early in the year. He did flash both good hands and explosive potential as a receiver, an area he wasn't used often in college. With Alvin Kamara out in the season finale, Miller impressed with 73 yards on the ground. It was the second highest total for a New Orleans runner in 2023.

Kamara will still be the focus of the Saints offense, but his versatile abilities are much more effective with a good complement in the backfield. If Miller can stay healthy going forward, he showed both the rushing ability and receiving skills to be that complement. 

Nick Saldiveri, G

American defensive lineman Zacch Pickens of South Carolina (3) spars with American offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri of Old Dominion (59) during 2023 Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY

4th Round - #103 overall (Old Dominion)

• 4 games

• 18 offensive snaps

The Saints offensive line was a major disappointment most of the season. New Orleans allowed 35 sacks and managed only 3.6 per rush, second worst in the NFL. Despite those struggles, Saldiveri still couldn't crack the lineup. He was a healthy scratch most weeks until being placed on injured reserve to end the year. 

New Orleans has big problems up front. Linemen Andrus Peat, James Hurst, Trai Turner, and Cam Erving are all free agents, while 2022 first-round choice Trevor Penning has been a huge bust so far. Expect the Saints to heavily address the offensive line this offseason. That need decreases slightly if the team can get rapid improvement from Saldiveri. 

Jake Haener, QB

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (14) passes against the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

4th Round - #127 overall (Fresno St.)

• 0 games

• six-game suspension 

This was always going to be a ''redshirt'' year for Haener. He clinched that by being suspended for the first six games for violation of the league's performance enhancing substance policy. 

At best, the Saints could view Haener as a reliable backup to starter Derek Carr after a decent preseason performance. With veteran QB Jameis Winston heading to free agency, the ability of relying on Haener in that role would save the Saints some money by not having to sign a veteran free agent. 

Jordan Howden, S

New Orleans Saints safety Jordan Howden (31) breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki (88). Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

5th Round - #146 overall (Minnesota)

• 16 games

• 5 passes broken up 

• 1 forced fumble

• 1 sack

• 43 tackles

Veteran S Marcus Maye regressed after a good start and ended the year on injured reserve. Fellow veteran S Tyrann Mathieu had a solid year, but has become a bit of a liability as a tackler and when in man coverage. After an impressive preseason, Howden quickly carved out a role in the defense and even earned seven starts.

Howden showed nice versatility with his ability to play as deep safety, in the box, or in slot coverage. Those range of skills allowed Mathieu to play more off the ball and keep Johnathan Abram out of coverage. Howden needs to hone his instincts more, which should come with experience. 

Don't be surprised if Marcus Maye is released in a salary cap move this offseason. Safety is an underrated need for the Saints, but the rapid development of Howden helped the secondary maintain a high level of play despite injuries. 

A.T. Perry, WR

New Orleans Saints receiver A.T. Perry (17) catches a touchdown pass over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7). Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

6th Round - #195 overall (Wake Forest)

• 10 games

• 12 receptions 

• 246 yards

• 4 touchdowns 

Perry saw no playing time in the first seven weeks and no targets in just 24 offensive snaps in weeks eight and nine. He'd then emerge over the last eight games to show the abilities that had many projecting him as a Day 2 draft prospect. 

Perry's best outing of the year came in the season finale, when he caught all three of his targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns. Prior to that, he showed reliable hands and an uncanny ability to make plays in traffic. Perry wasn't asked to run an expanded route tree, but showed the ability to make plays at all three levels of a defense through a productive collegiate career. 

The Saints are likely to move on from former All-Pro WR Michael Thomas this offseason. Wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are terrific playmakers, but need a big-bodied pass catcher to complement them. At 6'5" and 205-Lbs. with incredible leaping ability and body control, A.T. Perry should be an even bigger part of the offense in 2024.

Blake Grupe, K

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe (19) makes a field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY

Undrafted (Notre Dame)

• 17 games

• 130 points 

• 30/37 FGs (81.1%)

• 40/40 extra points

• 83.5% touchback percentage 

After beating out accomplished veteran Wil Lutz in training camp, Grupe was under close scrutiny all season. He responded with a solid campaign, albeit with some erratic misses that included a game-winner against Green Bay that ultimately cost the Saints a playoff spot.

Grupe missed seven field goals, no extra points, and was 14 of 19 (73.7%) on attempts from beyond 40 yards. Lutz missed four field goals, two extra points, and was 7 of 10 (70%) from beyond 40 yards. Grupe set a single season franchise record for most made field goals of over 50 yards. His 30 successful field goals were the third most in team history. 

Comparisons are inevitable, Lutz was (at worst) the second best kicker in franchise history. Grupe still performed well enough that he should be an overwhelming favorite to keep the job in 2024, but not consistent enough that we shouldn't expect at least some training camp competition. 

Lou Hedley, P

New Orleans Saints punter Lou Hedley (39) punts the ball against the Chicago Bears. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Undrafted (Miami, Fl.)

• 17 games 

• 43-yard gross average 

• 39.7-yard net average 

• 31 punts inside 20 (41.3%)

Grupe's job may be fairly secure heading into next year, but Hedley's is not. His net and gross averages were both among the worst in the NFL. Where Hedley was outstanding was in his directional accuracy. He was among the league's best at pinning an opponent deep inside their own territory and was instrumental in helping the Saints hold opponents to an NFL-best 5.6 yards per punt return.