Well that’s frustrating. Sean Payton has the Denver Broncos trending up after winning back-to-back games for the first time this season, improving their record to 3-5 — and lessening the value in the 2024 draft pick they traded to the New Orleans Saints for Payton’s services.
Per the latest projections at Tankathon, the Saints currently stand to receive the No. 39 overall pick in 2024’s second round from Denver. If the Broncos keep winning games (and that appears likely after they knocked off the flu-ridden Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday), that draft choice could end up being closer to the end of Round 2 than at its beginning.
If you’re curious, here are the Saints’ projected draft slots after Week 8’s action:
- Round 1, Pick 16
- Round 2, Pick 39 (via Broncos)
- Round 4, Pick 136 (compensatory)
- Round 5, Pick 152
- Round 5, Pick 170 (compensatory)
- Round 5, Pick 174 (compensatory)
- Round 6, Pick 193
- Round 6, Pick 209 (via Eagles)
The 2024 draft order is continually changing, and it will not be finalized until compensatory picks are awarded in March. But it’s clear that the Saints’ upcoming draft class will be heavier on the back end, unless they use those late-round picks as trade fodder to move up higher in the earlier rounds. If Payton rights Denver’s ship, the Saints just might have to do that.
