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Join Big Q & The Great Saints Think Tank as we cover the NFL Draft Live.

Nick Saldiveri, OL, Old Dominion- Saldiveri primarily played right tackle for three seasons at Old Dominion, so the pick might come as a surprise to some considering the Saints have an established RT and drafted Trevor Penning in the 2022 first round to play LT. However, Saldiveri could potentially slide inside to guard. If that’s the case, there could be a long term development plan there.
Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State – he Saints sent the Jaguars a 2022 seventh-round pick (227) and their 2024 fourth-round pick to get back in the fourth round and get a backup quarterback. Haener will learn behind Derek Carr and Jameis Winston. The Saints are tied to Carr for a while after signing him through the 2026 season, but Winston only has one more year left on his deal. The Saints typically keep three quarterbacks (depending on how Taysom Hill is viewed) and 2021 fourth-round pick Ian Book only lasted a season. There are bigger needs for the immediate present, but getting a quarterback in the building now to develop for the future is clearly the long-term goal. Haener, the 2023 Senior Bowl MVP, is another player to join the Saints from that pipeline.
Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota – Howden is a depth pick for now behind safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye. He’s part of several additions the Saints have made to the safety room in the offseason to add players behind that pair. He’ll likely be a player who starts on special teams, where he has a lot of experience. He played five seasons at Minnesota, with 240 total tackles, four career interceptions and 20 pass deflections. Howden played at free safety and in the slot in college. The Saints value position versatility, so he’s potentially someone who could be moved around at different positions.
A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest – The biggest surprise about this pick was that the Saints gave up on TE Adam Trautman to get it, sending him and a 2023 seventh-rounder to the Broncos to move into the sixth round. It was anticipated the Saints would add another skill position player, and Perry had some impressive stats at Wake Forest, finishing his career with 171 catches for 2,662 yards and 28 touchdowns. He’ll compete for a spot after the Saints let Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harty leave in free agency. The selection of Perry could put Tre’Quan Smith’s role in jeopardy.
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