The New Orleans Saints focused on diversifying their roster during the third day of the NFL Draft, strategically selecting players who could fill specific roles and bolster the team’s overall competitiveness. The draft saw them pick up Spencer Rattler, a quarterback from South Carolina with notable arm strength and a history of making decisive throws under pressure. Despite concerns about his late-game decision-making and height, Rattler’s career stats, including a 68.9% completion rate and a senior year marked by 3,186 passing yards, demonstrate his potential to grow into a formidable NFL quarterback.
The Saints also drafted wide receiver Bub Means from Pitt, who brings a unique blend of size and speed to the team. With 68 receptions, 1,122 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns over two seasons, Means has shown his ability to be a deep threat and a reliable boundary receiver. His performance at the NFL combine, with a 4.43 second 40-yard dash and a 39-inch vertical jump, underlines his physical capabilities and his potential to make significant contributions to the Saints’ offensive strategy.
On defense, the Saints added Jaylan Ford, a linebacker from Texas, known for his agility and ability to play effectively in the box. Ford’s record includes being a first-team All-Big 12 and a Butkus Award semifinalist, highlighting his prowess on the field. Additionally, the selection of Khristian Boyd from Northern Iowa enhances the defensive line with his ability to disrupt the run game and manage space effectively, as evidenced by his stats of 43 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2023.
Rounding out the Saints’ picks, offensive lineman Josiah Ezirim from Eastern Kentucky University brings considerable size and power to the front line. His performance as a starter in all 11 games for one of the top offenses in the United Athletic Conference showcases his capability to support both the run and pass game. The Saints’ draft strategy reflects a clear plan to reinforce both their offensive and defensive squads, aiming to create a balanced and resilient team capable of competing at higher levels in the upcoming seasons. Here is a summary table of the Saints’ Day 3 picks:
