Saints draft position after Week 5
The New Orleans Saints are currently on a three-game losing streak, but even after last weekâs loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Saintsâ draft position only moved one spot. Currently, the team is projected to select at pick 12.
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Recently, the Saints have been subject to trade rumors surrounding future Hall of Famer Davante Adams. On top of this, if the Saints strike out on Adams, there will still be interest in other available receivers around the league. It is evident that the Saints are interested in improving the wide receiver room, and if they end up at pick 12 in the draft, targeting a wideout would make sense. Luther Burden III would be a great selection here. After an exceptional 2023 season, Burden was projected to be the top receiver selected in the draft. This season, he has had a much slower start, but that should not stop the Saints from looking his way. Burden is primarily a slot receiver, and he can use his speed to create great separation. At 5-foot-11, Burden has the ability to overcome his height and make very contested catches. He is also not afraid of blocking on any given play, which is valued in the Saints offense. His fit would be great next to Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave, but he is also a big play threat that will open up the offense. If the Saints are going to be looking for a receiver in the draft, Luther Burden III may be the best selection. Even though wide receiver is going to be a need for the Saints, the offensive line will be the number one position group that needs improvement.
Last week, I talked about the top left tackle prospect Kelvin Banks being a player to target at pick 13, but his teammate Cameron Williams could be another option. Williams is the starting RT for Texas and has been a massive riser throughout the season. He is listed at 6-foot-5, 335 pounds, and Williams can use this weight to dominate edge rushers. This weight may cause balance issues, which will be a concern, but Williams has terrific agility that allows him to make up for this. In the run game, Williams may not be the fastest, which could stop him from being a dominant puller, but if he is setting a block on edge, then that defender will be removed from the play. The biggest concern with drafting Cameron Williams is his inexperience. This season is the first time Williams is the starter, and although he has shown dominance in many ways, this inexperience makes him a bit more developmental. I know the Saints do not have the best history with âdevelopmentalâ prospects, such as with Trevor Penning, but Williamsâ game is still miles ahead of where Penning was. The other positive is unlike most of the to tackle prospects in this yearâs draft, Williams plays right tackle instead of left. This would allow the Saints to keep Taliese Fuaga at LT and slot in Cameron Williams at RT.
