Which position will the New Orleans Saints prioritize in the 2024 NFL draft? Their poor scoring output on offense has fans daydreaming about a quarterback or wide receiver in the first round, but this projection from Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon has the Saints targeting a defensive back at No. 12 overall: Minnesota Golden Gophers safety Tyler Nubin.
Here’s what Risdon had to say about Nubin as a prospect:
Nubin has stepped up his coverage and positional versatility in 2023, elevating his draft value. The Saints defense needs some youthful invigoration, and Nubin’s spirited play makes for a very nice fit.
A former four-star recruit from Saint Charles, Ill., Nubin is a high-end athlete listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. He’s also already on New Orleans radar after the Saints drafted his teammate Jordan Howden earlier this year. Nubin has improved each season, particularly with missed tackles. He’s missed just three tackles on 300-plus defensive snaps this season. While Howden primarily covered the slot when they were playing together, Nubin has more often lined up over the top of the Golden Gophers defense at free safety.
Safety could be an early-round consideration for the Saints next offseason. Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye will both be entering the final year of their contracts. Howden was drafted to develop into a candidate who could take over for one of them, but it wouldn’t hurt to add someone else to the mix.
In the first round, though? At No. 12 overall (which is where the Saints would be picking if the draft started today)? And passing on other prospects at premium positions like Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse (picked at No. 13) and Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton (taken at No. 14)? That wouldn’t be a smart move.
There’s an argument for picking Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (No. 16), too, even though Derek Carr’s contract makes it impossible to move him until 2025. It’s possible Nabin could be the best player available, but it’s unlikely he would be the highest-rated player on New Orleans’ board.
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