2023 New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Class

The 2023 NFL Draft has officially wrapped up and the New Orleans Saints used the draft to fill in some of their most important needs. Heading into the draft, the Saints wanted to retool their defensive line after losing several key starters during the free agency period. New Orleans stayed put whenever they were on the clock during the first three rounds of the draft, but they were aggressive in the trade market on day three. The black and gold concluded their draft by adding seven new faces to the franchise. Here is the 2023 New Orleans Saints draft class:

Round 1, Pick 29: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Former Clemson DT Bryan Bresee (11) – Peter Joneleit/Getty Images

Heading into this year’s draft, reloading the defensive tackle was a must for the Saints. After losing Shy Tuttle, David Onyemata, and Kentavius Street in free agency, there was a gap in the depth chart. New Orleans was also able to use the free agency period by adding Khlaen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd. Outside of the two additions through free agency, the Saints were able to bring back Malcolm Roach. New Orleans used their first pick of the draft by adding another weapon to the interior of the defensive line.

The black and gold stayed put at pick 29 by selecting Clemson’s defensive tackle, Bryan Bresee. Bresee showed a lot of potential during his career at Clemson, and he is coming off a 2022 season filled with adversity. During the 2022 season, Bresee was credited with 16 tackles (5.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. The Clemson product will be able to create chaos against opposing backfields in the NFL and will have the opportunity to be a key contributor to the Saints’ defense in his rookie season.

Round 2, Pick 40: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame

Former Notre Dame EDGE Isaiah Foskey (7) – Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Saints continued to keep their focus on retooling their defensive line in the second round. The hits continued to keep on coming for New Orleans in free agency as Marcus Davenport was poked away from the Minnesota Vikings. The black and gold could use more depth at the defensive end position as Cam Jordan is about to enter his age 34 season. New Orleans once again stayed put at pick No. 40, and they went with Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey.

Foskey is coming off a sensational 2022 campaign with the Fighting Irish, and he is poised to be a key factor for the Saints defensive front moving forward. In 2022, Foskey finished the season with the fifth-most tackles on the team at 45, including 23 solo tackles. He would also lead the team with 11 sacks for the second-straight season and recorded 14 tackles for loss. Foskey has a tremendous football character and has the ability to be explosive off the edge with a quick first step. There is a lot to like about the Notre Dame edge rusher, and he will have the opportunity to receive a starting role on the opposite side of Jordan.

Round 3, Pick 71: Kendre Miller, RB, TCU

Former TCU RB Kendre Miller (33) – TCU Athletics

After spending their first two picks on the defensive side of the ball, the Saints started to turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball with their third-round pick. Another position of need heading into the draft was at the running back position, as Alvin Kamara is likely to serve a multi-game suspension in 2023. New Orleans was able to add Jamaal Williams, but after Williams, the depth quickly fell off. The black and gold added TCU’s Kendre Miller into the mix with the 71st pick of the NFL Draft.

Miller is coming off a huge season with the Horned Frogs offense as he played a pivotal role in TCU making the national championship game. During the 2022 season, Miller led the team with 1,339 yards. He would have a rushing touchdown in the opening 13 games for TCU and would top 100 yards in seven games during the regular season. Miller has shown that he has natural running back instincts, and his balance is off the charts. The TCU running back will have an opportunity to see the field in 2023 as he has all of the tools to be successful at the next level.

Round 4, Pick 103: Nick Saldiveri, OT, Old Dominion

Former Old Dominion OT Nick Saldiveri (64) – Old Dominion University Athletics

After not trading up in the first two days of the draft, the Saints began day three by trading up to the first pick in the fourth round. New Orleans would have to give up pick 115 overall and 165 overall to the Chicago Bears to trade up to pick No. 103 in the fourth round of the draft. The Saints would continue to focus on the offensive side of the ball as they tried to add another piece to their offensive line depth chart. New Orleans went with Old Dominion’s Nick Saldiveri to begin day three of the NFL draft.

Saldiveri showed throughout his collegiate career that he is capable of playing multiple positions on the offensive line, and the versatility will be beneficial to the Saints moving forward. The Old Dominion product has good athleticism, and he has a lot of untapped potential. During the 2022 season, Saldiveri started in 11 games on the offensive line. He would help pave the way for the Monarchs to set a single-game rushing record against Coastal Carolina.

Round 4, Pick 127: Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State

Former Fresno State QB Jake Haener (9) – Eric Paul Zamora/The Sacramento Bee

New Orleans didn’t stop there being active on the trade market as the Saints found themselves back in the fourth round of the draft. On the second day of the trade for the Saints, New Orleans gave up the 227th overall pick for the 127th overall pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The black and gold continued to go after offensive help as they added another quarterback into the mix. New Orleans made a big splash in signing Derek Carr this offseason, and with the 127th overall pick in the draft, they selected Fresno State’s, Jake Haener.

Haener was terrific during his collegiate career at Fresno State, and he was able to lead the Bulldogs to a Mountain West conference championship in 2022. During the 2022 season, Haener threw for 2,896 yards and 20 touchdowns. Haener would miss four weeks of the season, but he wouldn’t skip a beat coming back from injury. The Fresno State product has shown toughness throughout his playing career and he has the instincts to be successful at the next level.

Round 5, Pick 146: Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota

Former Minnesota S Jordan Howden (23) – University of Minnesota Athletics

The Saints would go back to addressing the defensive side of the ball with their lone pick in the fifth round as they focused on adding another key piece to their secondary. New Orleans was able to add Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye in the offseason last year. Dennis Allen and company would add Minnesota’s Jordan Howden to the ‘Crescent City’.

Howden would start in all 13 games for Minnesota’s defense during the 2022 season. In 2022, Howden recorded 58 tackles (40 solo tackles), 3.5 tackles for loss, five passes broken up, and two interceptions. Howden is able to keep the receivers in front of him and displays good hands for the interception.

Round 6, Pick 195: A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest

Former Wake Forest WR A.T. Perry (9) – Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports

New Orleans finished off their 2023 NFL Draft selections by going adding another weapon for their offense. The Saints got the 195th overall pick in a trade that sent tight end Adam Trautman to the Denver Broncos. The Saints used this opportunity to select Wake Forest’s A.T. Perry as they concluded a successful draft class.

Perry would post a career-high 81 receptions during the 2022 season at Wake Forest. In 2022, Perry finished with 1,096 receiving yards. He would become the first player in program history to have multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Perry recorded at least one touchdown reception in nine of the 13 games during the 2022 season. He is a decorated prospect that is very good at contested-catch situations and is a natural playmaker.