After a disappointing 2022 campaign, the New Orleans Saints spent this “offseason” rebuilding and revamping the team. First, the Saints go out and get four time Pro-Bowler Derek Carr in Free Agency to take over the hole left by All-Pro QB Drew Bress retirement in 2020. Along with Carr, the Saints then signed WR Bryan Edwards, re-signed tight end Juwan Johnson, signed defensive tackles Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepard. They also added the Detroit Lions‘ leading rusher, running back Jamaal Williams into the mix after Mark Ingram became a free agent.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Saints added valuable depth and several potential starters.
New Orleans Saints 2023 Draft Picks
Round 1 • Pick 29 – Bryan Bresee, Defensive Tackle, Clemson
The Saints grade a huge Defensive Line prospect in Bryan Bresee. In 2020, Bryan was the #1 Prospect in the nation from Damascus High School in Maryland. Bryan has a huge frame. Bryan is 6’5 1/2″ and 298 LBS and has a huge wingspan with a 32 1/2″ arm. With such a huge frame, Bryan ran a 4.86 forty at the NFL Combine. Bryan has all the tools to make an immediate impact with the Saints. He is a disruptive force in the middle of the line and will require double teams.
Round 2 • Pick 40 – Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame
Edge Rusher Isaiah Foskey is another future star for the Black and Gold. Isaiah is 6’5″ 245 LBS and runs a 4.58 forty. In 2021, Foskey took over as the team’s primary pass rusher, leading the Irish with 12.5 tackles for loss among his 52 total stops in 13 starts, tying for 10th in the FBS with 11 sacks while also tying for the national lead with six forced fumbles. He was a second-team All-American in 2022 and a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end after leading the squad with 14 tackles for loss and tying for sixth in the FBS with 11 sacks among his 45 tackles in 12 starts.
Round 3 • Pick 71 – Kendre Miller, Running Back, TCU
Miller rushed for 2,508 yards and 34 scores as a senior quarterback at Mount Enterprise High School in Texas, earning a scholarship from the Horned Frogs. Miller broke out as a junior, leading the team with 1,399 rushing yards (224 carries) and tying for eighth nationally with 17 rushing touchdowns in 14 starts, missing the national title game due to injury. Miller was a 2022 first-team All-Big 12 Conference pick.
Round 4 • Pick 103 – Nick Saldiveri, Tackle, Old Dominion
Nick Saldiveri, a 6-foot-6, 318-pounder was a three-year starter at right tackle for Old Dominion and a two-time all-conference selection. Saldiveri started all 12 games in 2022 (one at right guard and 11 at right tackle) to earn second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors.
Round 4 • Pick 127 – Jake Haener, Quarterback, Fresno State
Jake Haener, a 6-foot, 207-pounder was a three-year starter at quarterback for Fresno State, earning All-Mountain West Conference honors in his last two seasons. Haener was expected to head to the NFL after a second-team all-league effort in 2021, when he ranked ninth in the FBS with 4,096 passing yards and completed 329 of 490 attempts (67.1 completion percentage) and threw for 33 touchdowns (nine INT) in 13 starts. However, he returned to play for Fresno in 2022, garnering first-team All-Mountain West accolades (252-350-72.0, 2,896 yards, 20 TD, three INT in 10 starts) despite missing four games with an ankle injury.
Round 5 • Pick 146 – Jordan Howden, Safety, Minnesota
Jordan Howden, a 6-foot, 203-pounder started 49 of the 58 career games. In five seasons at Minnesota, Howden made 240 tackles (168 solo) and had 5.5 tackles for loss while breaking up 20 passes and grabbing four interceptions. Howden was a football and track star as a senior at Desert Pines High School in California before heading to Minnesota.
Round 6 • Pick 195 – A.T. Perry, Wide Receiver, Wake Forest
The Saints moved up in the draft to select one of the most dangerous deep treat receivers in this years draft. A.T. Perry is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound wide receiver that ran a 4.47 forty at the NFL combine. Perry holds the program, Wake Forest, record with 15 touchdown receptions in 2021 and the overall touchdown record of 28 touchdowns which also is tied for seventh in ACC history. He led the Demon Deacons with 1,293 receiving yards (71 receptions) and 15 scores in 14 starts, garnering first-team All-ACC accolades. Perry was a first-teamer again in 2022, pacing his squad with 81 receptions for 1,096 yards and tying for seventh in the FBS with 11 scores in 13 games.
