We have an idea of which positions the New Orleans Saints may be viewing as their top team needs after the first few weeks of free agent signings — it might be the wrong idea, but it’s an idea alright. The Saints acted quickly to address each of our top two roster needs at the start of free agency, defensive tackle and running back, and they have options to take action on the areas of need still remaining.
But the 2023 NFL draft is on the horizon, and in some cases the Saints would do better to pick a rookie than invest in a veteran player. Here’s a position-by-position look at the options available to them on the free agent market and in the upcoming draft class:
1
Defensive end
- Free agents: Jadeveon Clowney (Cleveland), Yannick Ngakoue (Indianapolis), Leonard Floyd (LA Rams), Melvin Ingram II (Miami), Justin Houston (Baltimore), Frank Clark (Kansas City), Kyle Van Noy (LA Chargers), Rasheem Green (Seattle)
- Draft prospects: Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama), Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech), Myles Murphy (Clemson), Lukas Van Ness (Iowa), Nolan Smith (Georgia), Will McDonald IV (Iowa State), BJ Ojulari (LSU), Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Kansas State), Adetomiwa Adebawore (Northwestern), Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame)
2
Wide receiver
- Free agents: Odell Beckham Jr. (LA Rams), Jarvis Landry (New Orleans), Julio Jones (Tennessee), Olamide Zaccheaus (Atlanta), Marvin Jones Jr. (Jacksonville)
- Draft prospects: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State), Quentin Johnston (TCU), Jordan Addison (USC), Zay Flowers (Boston College), Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee), Josh Downs (North Carolina)
3
Safety
- Free agents: Taylor Rapp (LA Rams), Adrian Amos (Green Bay), Rodney McLeod (Indianapolis)
- Draft prospects: Brian Branch (Alabama), Antonio Johnson (Texas A&M), Sydney Brown (Illinois), Ji’Ayir Brown (Penn State)
4
Running back
- Free agents: Kareem Hunt (Cleveland), Jerick McKinnon (Kansas City)
- Draft prospects: Bijan Robinson (Texas), Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama), Zach Charbonnet (UCLA), Devon Achane (Texas A&M), Tyjae Spears (Tulane), Tank Bigsby (Auburn)
5
Linebacker
- Free agents: Rashaan Evans (Atlanta), Anthony Barr (Dallas), Deion Jones (Cleveland)
- Draft prospects: Drew Sanders (Arkansas), Trenton Simpson (Clemson), Jack Campbell (Iowa), Daiyan Henley (Washington State), Henry To’oto’o (Alabama), Noah Sewell (Oregon)
6
Defensive tackle
- Free agents: Matt Ioannidis (Carolina), A’Shawn Robinson (LA Rams), Poona Ford (Seattle), Shelby Harris (Seattle)
- Draft prospects: Jalen Carter (Georgia), Calijah Kancey (Pittsburgh), Mazi Smith (Michigan), Bryan Bresee (Clemson), Siaki Ika (Baylor), Keenau Benton (Wisconsin), Tuli Tuipulotu (USC)
7
Offensive guard
- Free agents: Dalton Risner (Denver), Michael Schofield (Chicago), Trai Turner (Washington)
- Draft prospects: O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida), Steve Avila (TCU), Cody Mauch (North Dakota State), Andrew Vorhees (USC)
8
Tight end
- Free agents: Irv Smith Jr. (Minnesota), Cameron Brate (Tampa Bay), Marcedes Lewis (Green Bay)
- Draft prospects: Michael Mayer (Notre Dame), Darnell Washington (Georgia), Dalton Kincaid (Utah), Luke Musgrave (Oregon State), Sam LaPorta (Iowa), Tucker Kraft (South Dakota State)
