The New Orleans Saints 2017 NFL Draft class is one of the most successful in NFL History. Marshon Lattimore and Alvin Kamara won NFL Offensive and Defensive rookie of the year respectively. Other notable selections: Ryan Ramczyk, Marcus Williams, and Trey Hendrickson have all earned Pro Bowl honors. However, the team has struggled to replicate their 2017 success. Here are the grades for the past six Saints First Round Draft selections.
2018: Marcus Davenport
New Orleans traded their 2019 First Round Pick and a 5th Round pick to Green Bday in order to move up and select Marcus Davenport with the 14th pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. After running a 4.58 40 yard dash at nearly 6′.6″ the Defensive End from UTSA shot up Draft boards. Unfortunately, Davenport has not lived up to his hefty price tag and immense potential. Injury struggles kept him off the field early in his career but, he finally flashed his potential in 2021 recording 9.0 sacks and 16 QB hits. However, after a disappointing 2022 season he joined the Minnesota Vikings on a one year deal.
GRADE: D+
2019: Cesar Ruiz
The Saints bolstered their interior offensive line with 2019 First Round selection Cesar Ruiz. Ruiz has been a serviceable player during his first four NFL seasons. The former Michigan Center transitioned to guard after the addition of Eric McCoy and has established himself as a regular starter. Ruiz recently inked in a new four year contract extension but his career PFF grade of 57.6 leaves more to be desired from the former First rounder.
GRADE: C
2020: Payton Turner
New Orleans selected Payton Turner in the First Round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The lanky Defensive End was considered a raw prospect but scouts liked his size and (production). However, like Davenport, the former Houston Defensive End has been plagued by injuries. Turner has taken trips to injured reserve during two of his three professional seasons. In limited action, Turner has just 3.0 sacks. The Saints hope he can stay healthy and tap into his undeniable potential as an edge rusher.
GRADE F
2022: Chris Olave & Trevor Penning
With the first of their two 2022 First Round picks the Saints selected Ohio State receiver Chris Olave. Olave has been the lone bright spot in a series of underwhelming Saints first round selections. Even with below average Quarterback play, the explosive wideout was able to haul in 159 passes for 2,165 yards during his first two seasons. In his third season, he should be the focal point of the Black and Gold passing game and can cement himself as one of the leagues top deep threats.
GRADE A-
New Orleans Selected Northern Iowa Tackle Trevor Penning with the second of their two first round picks in 2022. The ultra athletic tackle hoped to follow in the footsteps of former great Saints tackles like Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk. After an infamous rookie training camp he missed most of his rookie seasons due to injury. In 2023, Penning struggled in the five games he started and needs to improve as a pass blocker.
GRADE C+
2023: Bryan Breese
After just one season Defensive Tackle Bryan Bresee, the Saints First Round selection in 2022, looks like one of the Saints better first round selections of recent. The team hopes he continues to improve after a promising rookie campaign where he recorded 5.0 sacks and 7.0 TFLs.
GRADE B
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