The New Orleans Saints NFL Draft class is set in stone, and the best way to set expectations is to make a few comparisons to pros with similar play styles. While every prospect is unique in their own certain way, every rookie to ever enter the league is akin to an established veteran that has made a respectable career in the NFL.
Pro Comparisons for the New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Class
Bryan Bresee – Post-Lions Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh was one of the best football players in the league during his time with the Detroit Lions. Bryan Bresee won’t be that good, but he should be able to play up to the standards of a mid- to late-career Suh. The interior defensive lineman is built like a tank, posted some great testing numbers and should be able to collapse the pocket and clog up run lanes against NFL competition.
I’m ready to see some of this in the Fall @bryan_bresee pic.twitter.com/u5KltZtigT
— Barstool NOLA (@BarstoolNOLA) May 9, 2023
Isaiah Foskey – Bradley Chubb
The second member of the Saints draft class also excels at getting after the quarterback, except Foskey goes about it in a different manner than Bresee. Foskey is insanely fast off the snap, can blow past slower tackles without breaking a sweat, and has the strength to hold the edge in the run game. His biggest weakness is his poor technique, which is fixable with the right coaching. If he reaches his ceiling, he should be able to make a Bradley Chubb-type of impact.
Kendre Miller – Jay Ajayi
Kendre Miller has the potential to be a starting running back in the NFL, but he doesn’t have the pass-catching ceiling of Alvin Kamara. Jay Ajayi was no slouch out of the backfield, but he was clearly better as a runner than a receiver. Kendre Miller fits the same mold and will likely spend most of his time working between the tackles. He won’t run too many patterns, but he could haul in a few passes as a checkdown option.
In the last 4 years there have been 28 RBs selected in the first two days of the draft, here's how the 23 class ranks in missed tackles forced per carry:
Bijan Robinson- 2 (.39)
Tyjae Spears- 7 (.32)
Kendre Miller- 8 (.31)
Tank Bigsby- 12 (.29)
Devon Achane- 13 (.29)
Jahmyr… pic.twitter.com/G6fBRCw8lA— Jeremy (@PopesFFH) May 4, 2023
Nick Saldiveri – Bernhard Raimann
The Saints like Nick Saldiveri, and it’s easy to see why. The offensive tackle has the build for the position with the footwork to get to the second level and be effective in the screen game and as a pull blocker. While he will need to add some strength, he should be a valuable third tackle and could even start if Trevor Penning cannot build on his underwhelming rookie season.
Jake Haener – Taylor Heinicke
Jake Haener has a few traits that make him look like Drew Brees, but a closer comparison is probably Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke and Haener both have the same reckless play that is admittedly fun to watch but doesn’t always result in the best on-field results. Both quarterbacks believe that they have the physical tools of Josh Allen, and consistently try to hit windows they’re simply not capable of making. Heinicke never accepted his physical shortcomings, but if Haener can come to terms with the fact that there are some plays he just can’t make, he should have a solid career as one of the better backups in the league.
Jordan Howden – Jordan Richards
Jordan Howden has the smarts to be a great NFL player. However, there is a certain athletic threshold that every player needs to reach, and Howden just isn’t there. He’ll be a great coach one day, but just like Jordan Richards, he lacks the physical acumen to ever earn a spot on an NFL defense.
A.T. Perry – Kenny Stills
Getting A.T. Perry late in the sixth round was the steal of the Saints draft class. The Wake Forest product possesses great deep speed and, at 6′-4″, also has the ability to high-point the football and haul in contested passes downfield. While he definitely won’t make too many plays in the short part of the field, he should add a much-needed element of verticality to this passing offense.
Main Photo: Ken Ruinard – USA Today Sports
