CBS Sports has fair grade for Saints' disappointing 2023 draft class - NFL

It’s safe to say the New Orleans Saints‘ 2023 draft class hasn’t met expectations. They say it takes three years to really evaluate a rookie draft pick, and three years later, this class has left us wanting more. A lot more. Three of the Saints’ seven picks are not on the roster anymore between second-round defensive end Isaiah Foskey, fourth-round quarterback Jake Haener, and sixth-round wide receiver A.T. Perry. A fourth, offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri (drafted at the top of the fourth round after the Saints traded up for him), was shut down for 2026 after last summer’s knee injury put the upcoming season in jeopardy. He’s going to become a free agent without playing a down this year.

Which means the Saints only have three of their seven 2023 picks on the roster right now. Their updated grade from Pete Prisco at CBS Sports reflects years of frustration. Prisco gave the Saints a B at the time, and first-round defensive tackle Bryan Bresee might be the only thing keeping them from earning an F in this three-year checkup. More from Prisco:

The skinny: They had seven picks in this draft and just one — first-round defensive lineman Bryan Bresee — is a starter heading into this season. That’s bad. They whiffed on second-round edge Isaiah Foskey, who was released last summer and is now with the Bengals. Third-round running back Kendre Miller is a backup who has been plagued by injuries. Fifth-round safety Jordan Howden is a backup.

How I did: I liked the pick of Miller, but injuries have really hurt him as a player. I didn’t like the pick of Foskey, which has played out. I didn’t think he would solve their pass-rush issues — and he didn’t. I liked the pick of Bresee and fourth-round guard Nick Saldiveri, who has been mainly a backup as he’s battled injuries.

New grade: D

The Saints did pick up their fifth-year option for Bresee, which extends his contract through 2027 and suggests they’re at least thinking about offering him a long-term extension. But he’ll need to show more in Year 2 of Brandon Staley’s defense if he’s going to stick around. This draft class may have been a bust, and the jury is out on most of the team’s 2024 picks, but we’ve seen signs of life from the 2025 rookies. Maybe they can make up for some lackluster performance out of the guys who came before them.

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