Saints Day-2 Draft Targets

With New Orleans holding one pick in round two and one in round three, here are some of the best remaining players at each position as Day 2 of the NFL Draft resumes tonight.

Bob Rose | Apr 28, 2023

Saints Day-2 Draft Targets /

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New Orleans Saints

Clemson DT Bryan Bresee was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 29th overall choice of the first round. Heading into Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Saints hold the 40th overall pick (2nd round) and the 71st overall choice (3rd round).

Bresee fills a major need on the interior of the New Orleans defense, but there is still work to be done. As the draft goes into the second and third rounds on Friday evening, here are some of the best available players still on the board.

OFFENSE

Quarterback

• Hendon Hooker (Tennessee)

• Will Levis (Kentucky)

• Clayton Tune (Houston)

One of the biggest surprises of the first round was the slide of Levis, who was projected by many to be a top-10 pick. The talented Hooker had also gotten a lot of mention as a first-round possibility.

New Orleans signed Derek Carr to a $100 million guaranteed contract. He'll be the unquestioned starter for at least the next two years, probably longer.

The Saints could take a developmental quarterback on Day 3, but there was always very little chance they'd take one in an earlier round. Both Hooker and Levis will probably be gone before the next New Orleans selection at 40.

Running Back

Zach Charbonnet (UCLA)
Israel Abanikanda (Pitt)
Chase Brown (Illinois)
Tyjae Spears (Tulane)
Kendre Miller (TCU)
Kenny McIntosh (Georgia)
Tank Bigsby (Auburn)

Tons of value here with featured back potential. New Orleans filled a big need when they signed Jamaal Williams in free agency. However, they'll lose Alvin Kamara for at least six games because of a probable league suspension.

Williams can handle the workload while Kamara is sidelined. The New Orleans offense was also limited the last two years because they had no backfield threat outside of Kamara other than the versatile Taysom Hill.

Even with Kamara in the lineup, another productive back would allow the Saints to better use his versatility. It's the strength of his game and what makes him one of the NFL's most feared weapons.

Wide Receiver

Tennessee Volunteers receiver Cedric Tillman (4) scores a touchdown past Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Jamari Brown (7). Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY

Cedric Tillman (Tennessee)
A.T. Perry (Wake Forest)
Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee)
Jonathan Mingo (Mississippi)
Rashee Rice (SMU)
Josh Downs (North Carolina)
Marvin Mims (Oklahoma)
Xavier Hutchinson (Iowa State)

On paper, the New Orleans receiving corps looks like a formidable unit. Chris Olave had an outstanding rookie year after being chosen 11th overall in 2022. Undrafted rookie Rashid Shaheed emerged from nowhere to be not only a big-play threat, but an underrated route runner.

Michael Thomas agreed to a reworked deal that keeps him with the team another year. The Saints also brought in free-agent WR Bryan Edwards, who played with Carr for the Raiders.

Thomas has played in just 10 of the last 50 games because of injuries. Without him, New Orleans lacks a physical intermediate pass catcher. Thomas is also one of the most physical and precise route runners in the NFL.

Watch for Tillman, an athletic and physical receiver who had his best season in 2021. Tennessee's WR coach at the time was Kodi Burns, a current offensive assistant with the Saints. A.T. Perry is also another wideout that would be a great fit to complement Thomas if he continues his injury struggles.

Tight End

Michael Mayer (Notre Dame)
Darnell Washington (Georgia)
Sam LaPorta (Iowa)
Luke Musgrave (Oregon State)
Tucker Kraft (South Dakota State)
Luke Schoonmaker (Michigan)

Juwan Johnson had a good year in 2022 as a receiver, but isn't an ideal in-line blocker. Adam Trautman has been the blocker of the group, but has been inconsistent in that capacity and offers nothing as a receiver.

Mayer and Washington were both mentioned as first-round possibilities. Washington is a dominant blocker with a monstrous frame who shows potential as a receiver. Maye might be the most well-rounded player in his draft class. LaPorta comes from an Iowa program that's produced several NFL tight ends.

The Saints have not featured a tight end in their offense since trading Jimmy Graham in 2015. New Orleans isn't looking for that type of player, but could target a legitimate two-way weapon to open up their attack.

Offensive Line

• Dawand Jones (OT - Ohio State)

• Steve Avila (G - TCU)

• O'Cyrus Torrence (G - Florida)

• Cody Mauch (G - North Dakota St)

• Joe Tippmann (G - Wisconsin)

• Nick Saldiveri (G - Old Dominion)

• Chandler Zavala (G - N.C. State)

• Sidy Sow (G - Eastern Michigan)

• McClendon Curtis (G/T - Tennessee-Chattanooga)

• Jaelyn Duncan (T - Maryland)

The Saints offensive line has been battered by injuries over the last two seasons. New Orleans spent a 2022 first-round choice on Trevor Penning, who is expected to take over at left tackle. If so, then versatile veteran James Hurst could kick inside to his more natural guard spot. Despite knee issues, RT Ryan Ramczyk is still among the best at the position.

Erik McCoy is a fixture at center. However, there are issues at both guard spots. The oft-injured Andrus Peat will be a free agent at year's end. Cesar Ruiz, who finally played well last year, could also hit free agency if the Saints don't pick up his fifth-year rookie option.

New Orleans has spent a first or second round choice on an offensive lineman in five of the last eight years. Avila or Torrence would be a long-term solution at guard.

DEFENSE

Defensive End

Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) pressures Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Jordan Yates (13). Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

• Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame)

• Adetomiwa Adebawore (Northwestern)

• Isaiah McGuire (Missouri)

• Keion White (Georgia Tech)

• Derick Hall (Auburn)

• Zach Harrison (Ohio State)

• Tuli Tuipuloto (USC)

Marcus Davenport, a 2018 first-round pick, departed in free agency. Payton Turner, a 2021 first-rounder, has done nothing in two years. Tanoh Kpassagnon and Carl Granderson are solid, but not Pro Bowl-level players. Cam Jordan is still a stud, but is entering his 13th season and turns 34 this offseason.

New Orleans had 48 sacks in 2022, fourth in the league, but ranked near the bottom of the NFL in pressures and hurries. The Saints scheme also calls for bigger ends with good length and underrated athleticism, ruling out some available edge rushers.

Foskey and Adebawore had first-round grades from many scouts. Each are terrific athletes with good length and natural pass rush ability, but are also outstanding against the run.

White is an athletic freak, but extremely raw, while McGuire is a physical pass rusher. Harrison would continue the Saints' Ohio State pipeline and has a ton of untapped potential.

Defensive Tackle

Baylor Bears defensive lineman Siaki Ika (62) is double teamed by Albany Great Danes offensive lineman Kevin Singer (75) and Kobe Thomas (70). Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY

Keeanu Benton (Wisconsin)
Karl Brooks (Bowling Green)
Zacch Pickens (South Carolina)
Gervon Dexter (Florida)
Siaki Ika (Baylor)

The selection of Bresee and free-agent additions of Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders have addressed a glaring offseason need. It also makes it highly unlikely that New Orleans will double-down on interior defenders with a Day 2 pick.

If they do, a big-bodied run stopper like Benton or Ika would be a great fit. Remember also that Saints defensive line coach Todd Grantham coached Dexter for a year at Florida.

Linebacker

• Dorian Williams (Tulane)

• Trenton Simpson (Clemson)

• Drew Sanders (Arkansas)

• Daiyan Henley (Washington State)

• DeMarvin Overshown (Texas)

• Ventrell Miller (Florida)

• Henry To'o To'o (Alabama)

The Saints defensive scheme demands a lot of their linebackers. They often employ just two with an extra defensive back, so whoever is on the field has to have outstanding sideline-to-sideline pursuit and terrific play diagnosis.

Demario Davis is one of the NFL's best defensive players, but is entering his 12th season. Pete Werner has great anticipation and awareness, but isn't as explosive as Davis. Kaden Elliss departed after a breakout season and promising D'Marco Jackson is unproven after missing all of his rookie year.

Sanders brings the pass rush that the team lost with Elliss. Local product Williams has elite coverage traits. Simpson is explosive, but lacks natural instincts. Overshown and Henley have great range, while Miller is a physical run defender.

Cornerback

Maryland Terrapins defensive back Jakorian Bennett (2) makes an interception against the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

• Cam Smith (South Carolina)

• Jakorian Bennett (Maryland)

• Kelee Ringo (Georgia)

• D.J. Turner (Michigan)

• Julian Brents (Kansas State)

• Garrett Williams (Syracuse)

• Clark Phillips (Utah)

A solid cornerback class goes deeper than even these names into Day 3. It's also a position of strength for the Saints. Shutdown CB Marshon Lattimore highlights the unit, but he's complemented by physical cover men Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo as well as savvy veteran Bradley Roby.

It seems improbable that New Orleans uses a Day 2 selection on a corner. If they do, it'll be a slot specialist and a special teams contributor, which is more likely to happen with a later pick.

Safety

• Brian Branch (Alabama)

• Rashad Torrence (Florida)

• Jammie Robertson (Florida State)

• Ji'Ayir Brown (Penn State)

• Sydney Brown (Illinois)

• Ronnie Hickman (Ohio State)

• Jordan Battle (Alabama)

• Christopher Smith (Georgia)

This year’s safety class hasn't been as highly regarded as recent years, with only Battle viewed as a potential first-rounder. However, it does possess some potential starting talent through the middle rounds.

Torrence has terrific range in coverage. While undersized, Robertson is a physical in-the-box player. Ji'Ayir and Sydney Brown are both versatile playmakers.

New Orleans brought back Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye after disappointing first seasons with the team. Additionally, the Saints also signed Lonnie Johnson and Jonathan Abram in free agency.

This position looks set on paper. However, the Saints need more big plays from the unit. It would be a little surprising if New Orleans picked a safety in Day 2, but any of these names would add athleticism to the back end if they skid into Day 3.

Rounds 2 and 3 start tonight at 7pm Eastern Time with the Saints currently holding the 40th and 71st overall picks. The 2023 NFL Draft wraps up on Saturday at noon with rounds 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Covers the New Orleans Saints as a senior writer for the Saints News Network. Co-Host of the Bayou Blitz Podcast.