The New Orleans Saints are going to be relying on their young players heavily as other parts of the roster begin to show their age, but how did each of their rookies from the 2023 NFL draft class grade out? Who is off to a good start, and who needs to make up for lost time?
Here’s how we evaluated each Saints rookie now that the 2023 season is behind them:
DL Bryan Bresee
Bresee had a very good rookie season for a defensive tackle. The best that the Saints have seen, as he owns the franchise rookie sacks record with 4.5. He also excelled at batting down passes (6), with more than Cameron Jordan had as a rookie.
He didn’t get the media acclaim of Jalen Carter, but did have as good of a season as you could ask a rookie for in terms of pass rushing. Outside of Carter, his 4.5 sacks is the most for a first-round defensive tackle since Ed Oliver had 5 in 2019.
Ideally, his run defense progresses nicely, but he’s looking like the player that people hoped for when he was drafted. For once, the medical scare rookie works out for the Saints and stays healthy.
Grade: A-
DE Isaiah Foskey
The hope with Foskey, was that he would be more ready to contribute than some of the other defensive ends that the team has drafted in the past. He did not make much of an impact as a rookie, not being able to carve a role for himself behind Carl Granderson or Cameron Jordan. Foskey finished with just nine tackles and one pass broken up this season. Hopefully he grows during his first offseason with the team, but he projected to be a lower-ceiling kind of player with a high floor.
Grade: D
RB Kendre Miller
There were certainly flashes from Miller this season, especially during his last game of the season, but unfortunately he missed more than half of the season dealing with injury troubles. That was the worry heading into the year and it came to fruition. He’s young, though, and did finish the season on a high note. He looks like he can at least contribute to the offense during his rookie contract if he can stay healthy, so it could be worse.
Grade: C-
OL Nick Saldiveri
He wasn’t drafted to be an immediate replacement, but the team wasn’t able to rely on him when injuries arose across the offensive line. He didn’t do much of anything as a rookie, disappointing when you consider that there were other players drafted around him that turned into starters. Blake Freeland, Anthony Bradford, Chandler Savala and Dawand Jones were all taken soon after Saldiveri and contributed for their teams. Maybe he can develop, but for now this seems like a whiff.
Grade: F
QB Jake Haener
There’s not much to go off of from Haener. He had a shaky preseason that was negatively compounded with a PED suspension. He didn’t take any snaps during the regular season, never surpassing Jameis Winston as a backup. It’s more of looking like the Saints could have gotten more out of this pick going elsewhere, but it was a disappointing season from Haener even considering his limited time just in the preseason.
Grade: D
DB Jordan Howden
Finally another clear positive from the draft class! Howden had a spectacular rookie season for a fifth-round defensive back selection. He stepped up in the absence of Marcus Maye for the second half of the season and looked more than just solid. It wasn’t perfect, but he could certainly be an option for a Week 1 starter next season if the Saints want to look his direction. He had 43 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and five passes defended. About as good as you could hope for from him.
Grade: A-
WR A.T. Perry
Perry wasn’t called upon for much of the season, but certainly gave flashes of being a big play threat. He had at least once catch in each of his last eight games and came down with four touchdowns in that span. He also averaged just over 20 yards per reception. He will likely have a bigger role next season and has an offseason to develop. 12 catches for 246 yards and four touchdowns isn’t a world-changing stat line, but he is looking like the player that the Saints hoped for when they drafted him.
Grade: B
K Blake Grupe
He didn’t miss an extra point, so that’s something! Grupe finished 27th in the league in field goal percentage and did not show up in clutch moments. He has a serviceable leg, but just didn’t have the consistency that you want out of a kicker. It would be hard to feel secure if the game came down to his leg. Kicker will probably be at least looked at this offseason for the Saints, I would expect some competition to come in.
Grade: C-
P Lou Hedley
Lou Hedley was not spectacular this season, finishing 30th in terms of net average punt distance with just 39.7. He also finished dead last, 37th out of 37 qualifying punters, in average punt length with just 43 yards per punt. He did fine in pinning players back, but he was not someone that could flip field position.
Grade: D
