Detroit will host the 2024 NFL Draft from April 25–27. This is Tankathon’s first-round order.
The Saints were expected to reclaim the NFC South in 2023. Last year, New Orleans made a big impression in free agency by landing quarterback Derek Carr on a $150 million, four-year deal. The Saints missed the playoffs for the third straight season, despite the fact that they were better than in 2022 and continued to progress throughout the season.
That hadn’t happened in New Orleans since 2014–16, and a strong draft class led by cornerback Marshon Lattimore and running back Alvin Kamara, the 2017 Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, helped break the run. The Saints may require a second draft pick.
Since 2015, New Orleans has used four first-round selections to draft offensive lineman, and it’s likely that this year’s selection will be its fifth in the last ten years to target the position.
In mock drafts, Alabama’s JC Latham has been drafted as high as No. 6 by the Giants and as low as No. 28 by the Bills. This vast variation in draft positions says nothing about his consistent play on the Bama offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, he gave up two sacks in 970 pass-rush opportunities between 2022 and 2023. Zone-blocking, which is what newly hired Saints offensive coach Klint Kubiak will probably want more of the Saints offensive line, is where Latham really shined in running scenarios.
