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Let’s start with the good news. The New Orleans Saints own eight selections in April’s upcoming 2021 draft, have received a few extra picks through the NFL compensatory formula and netting a late-round addition in a trade. If they hold onto those eight picks, it would be tied for the second-largest draft class in the Sean Payton era.
That includes the seventh round selection previous reports said was forfeited for COVID-19 protocol violations during the 2020 season, which NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to Pro Football Talk was returned to New Orleans upon appeal on Saturday. The Las Vegas Raiders were also deducted a draft pick, but that penalty was rescinded.
And now the bad news. The NFL followed that up by announcing that the Saints will instead lose their sixth round pick in 2022 because of their repeat protocols violations, making them the only team in the league to be hit with this punishment. That’s in addition to $700,000 in cash fines for the organization.
So let’s balance that out with some, um, reflection on what the Saints have done with their sixth round picks during Payton’s tenure as head coach and decision-maker on draft day. Here are the players they’ve drafted since 2006, and how many games each of them suited up for in New Orleans:
- 2019: Saquan Hampton, safety (5 games)
- 2018: Kamrin Moore, cornerback (0 games)
- 2018: Boston Scott, running back (0 games)
- 2017: Al-Quadin Muhammad, defensive end (4 games)
- 2014: Tavon Rooks, offensive tackle (0 games)
- 2013: Rufus Johnson, defensive end (0 games)
- 2012: Andrew Tiller, offensive guard (0 games)
- 2008: Taylor Mehlhaff, kicker (3 games)
- 2006: Mike Hass, wide receiver (0 games)
- 2006: Josh Lay, defensive back (0 games)
The Saints also traded their 2021 sixth rounder last year so they could go get quarterback Tommy Stevens in the 2020 seventh round, who was cut from the practice squad about a month into the regular season after failing to convert to tight end. So if it’s any consolation to losing this pick, it’s not like the Saints have a history of getting the most out of it.
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