Will The Saints Look For LSU Help In The 2023 NFL Draft?

The New Orleans Saints missed the playoffs in 2022, and should be in position to have a Top 10 NFL draft pick. But because of a trade they made with the Philadelphia Eagles, they don't have a Top 10 pick, in fact they don't have a first round pick at all.

That's not a great position to be in for a team that obviously needs a lot of help. The team's quarterback picture is messy, their salary cap situation is trash, and they have committed money to contracts they'd like to have back. There's not a lot of help coming in free agency, so the draft should be the best way to help rebuild. But again, this team doesn't have a first round pick...yet.

The Saints might be able to get a first round pick back this year, because former Head Coach Sean Payton is still technically under contract with the Saints, so all of the teams interviewing him for their openings will need to trade the Saints for his rights. The price tag for getting Payton is reportedly a first round draft pick. Now a team could push to give the Saints a 2024 or 2025 first round pick, but based on what the Saints need now, they probably want a 2023 pick.

If they're not able to get a first round pick back this year, they might need to look for a diamond in the rough that could help right away. Their first pick in the draft will come at pick #40 in the second round.

Defense is likely their biggest need, and there actually could be some help just up the road in Baton Rouge. But the Saints have often showed an aversion to drafting LSU players. However, in the position they're in, a Tiger might be their best bet.

Lineman like Jaquelin Roy will likely be available at the Saints second round pick. Defensive secondary help with Mekhi Garner and Jay Ward will also be on the board when the Saints have opportunities to pick them. Now if they're able to get back into the first round, they make look at BJ Ojulari, which could help right away.

Will the Saints take a Tiger? The stats say "no", but logic says they should consider it.