2024 New Orleans Saints mock draft: Bridging the gap between now and the future

Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints are pretty much in NFL purgatory. Dennis Allen and Co. can’t be seen as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. They are also not bottom feeders.

With a tricky NFL salary cap situation, it’s important for long-time general manager Mickey Loomis to hit on a majority of his draft picks.

Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, New Orleans boasts nine picks. However, it does not have one in the second or third rounds. Perhaps, a trade down from the 14th pick to accumulate more assets could be in the cards. As it is, here is our full seven-round Saints mock draft for 2024.

Related: 2024 NFL mock draft

New Orleans Saints draft picks 2024

Here are the New Orleans Saints draft picks ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

First round, 14th overall
Second round, 45th overall
Fifth round, 150th overall
Fifth round, 168th overall
Fifth round, 170th overall
Fifth round, 175th pick
Sixth round, 190th pick
Sixth round, 199th pick
Seventh round, 239th pick

New Orleans Saints team needs 2024

Offensive tackle
Quarterback
Guard
EDGE
Defensive tackle

2024 New Orleans Saints mock draft: Building for the future

First round, 14th pick: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu — Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

At 34 years old, franchise great Cameron Jordan is not getting any younger. He’s coming off a career-worst performance that saw the eight-time Pro Bowler record just six quarterback hits and two sacks in 17 games. While the Saints still do have 2023 sack leader Carl Granderson for the long run, picking up a young pass rusher should be in the cards.

Latu would be a great fit in this defense. After an injury-plagued tenure at Washington, he stood out big time during his two-year run with the UCLA Bruins. That included racking up 34 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. He’s seen as a pro-ready EDGE pass rusher and someone who could morph into a potential Pro Bowler at the NFL level. Acquiring that at 14 would be a boon.

Second round, 45th pick: Graham Barton, guard, Duke

NFL Draft, Graham Barton — Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

James Hurst and Cesar Ruiz are perfectly fine as starting guards. A first-round pick of the Saints in the 2020 NFL Draft, Ruiz is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Depending on his performance, he might price himself out of the Saints’ range due to their less-than-stellar cap situation. Planning accordingly makes sense.

It’s in this that Barton would be an absolute steal. Our Saints mock draft has him lasting until the 45th pick. If that is indeed the case, New Orleans should run to the podium. The former Duke standout actually earned First-Team All-ACC honors while starting at left tackle for the Blue Devils a season ago. We envision a transition inside due to his ability to win initially off the snap and plus-level run-blocking ability. He could even be a Day 1 starter at tackle if the Saints find themselves in a pinch.

Fifth round, 150th pick: Tahj Washington, wide receiver, USC

NFL Draft: Tahj Washington — Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Wide receiver is somewhat of an issue for the Saints after they moved on from the injury-plagued Michael Thomas. Chris Olave does his thing as a WR1 for New Orleans. Rashid Shaheed has turned into a decent receiver. But he’s not necessarily starter quality. The signing of Cedrick Wilson Jr. was more of a depth move. In short, these Saints need more help at wide receiver for Derek Carr.

Nabbing the 5-foot-11 Washington in the fifth round would be an absolute steal. The former USC star recorded 59 receptions for 1,062 yards and eight touchdowns a season ago. He also averaged a robust 18 yards per catch. His ability to take the top off the defense would loom large for Carr and Co.