Tag: compensatory

Saints enter the mix for a 2025 comp pick thanks to Isaac Yiadom

The Saints entered the mix for a 2025 compensatory draft pick thanks to Isaac Yiadom. But they haven’t locked it in just yet:

The New Orelans Saints could be in play for a 2025 compensatory draft selection after the San Francisco 49ers signed away cornerback Isaac Yiadom this offseason according to OverTheCap’s Nick Korte.

After being a career journeyman that had not found much time on the field in the past few years, Yiadom found a resurgence in New Orleans. Once Marshon Lattimore went down with a midseason injury, Yiadom was called on to pick up the slack and he did more than just be a replacement-level player. He was very solid this year with the Saints and earned a bigger contract in San Francisco, reportedly worth $3 million.

The Saints currently own their first six draft picks in 2025. Their own seventh round draft selection was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade. Adding a seventh-round compensatory pick would essentially bring things back to default for New Orleans. With more free agents still out there it remains to be seen whether the Saints will earn a comp pick or outweigh it by signing more players.

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Signing Chase Young likely takes Saints out of the running for 2025 comp picks

The Saints have enjoyed the benefits of comp picks in recent years, but signing Chase Young makes it unlikely they’ll see any in 2025:

It was fun while it lasted. The New Orleans Saints have enjoyed the benefits of compensatory draft picks in recent years, but signing Chase Young makes it unlikely they’ll see any extra picks in 2025. Few teams have received as many comp picks as the Saints over the last four draft cycles, owing to their losses in free agency:

  • 2021: Comp picks in rounds three (Nos. 98 and 105) and six (218)
  • 2022: Comp picks in round three (Nos. 98 and 101)
  • 2023: Comp pick in round seven (No. 257)
  • 2024: Comp picks in round five (Nos. 168, 170, and 175)

Remember, comp pics are awarded based on free agents lost against those signed in the previous offseason. And before the Saints signed Young, they were breaking even according to the analysts at Over The Cap who predict comp picks every year. After signing Young, it’s unlikely the Saints will lose any qualifying free agents who would balance him out.

Here’s where the Saints stand:

  • Players lost: Malcolm Roach (7th round), Lonnie Johnson Jr. (DNQ), Zack Baun (TBA), and Isaac Yiadom (TBA)
  • Players gained: Chase Young (4th round) Willie Gay Jr. (7th round), Nathan Peterman (TBA), Zander Horvath (DNQ)

So unless Baun and Yiadom each signed qualifying offers (which seems unlikely, as their agencies would have bragged about it by now) then we should assume they won’t factor in. And the list of qualifying players is wearing down quickly.

Remember, no players who were released — like Michael Thomas and Jameis Winston, or Marcus Maye — qualify for comp picks. Neither do players whose contracts were shortened after signing, as was the case with Andrus Peat. Which means the Saints would need someone like Johnathan Abram, Ugo Amadi, Keith Kirkwood, or Max Garcia to sign a really nice free agent contract in order to tip the scales back in their favor.

And don’t bet on that. Odds are strong that the Saints will sign a couple more  qualifying free agents than they’ll lose while working to address their problems this offseason. For now, they have plenty of draft picks stored up for 2025 (everything but a seventh rounder going to the Philadelphia Eagles, who else, as part of last year’s C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade).

It would be nice to pad that out with a couple of comp picks, but at this point it just doesn’t seem likely. Maybe Young plays out of his mind this season and signs a lucrative contract somewhere else in 2025, which could bring back a good comp pick in 2026.

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NFL awards the Saints three compensatory picks in the 2024 NFL draft

The projections got it right this year. The NFL awarded the Saints three compensatory picks in the 2024 NFL draft:

The projections got it right this year. The NFL awarded the New Orleans Saints three compensatory picks in the 2024 NFL draft, all slotted into the fifth round:

  • Round 5, Pick 167
  • Round 5, Pick 169
  • Round 5, Pick 174

These extra draft selections were awarded as compensation for players the Saints lost in free agency last offseason — defensive tackle David Onyemata, defensive end Marcus Davenport, and linebacker Kaden Elliss. There was a possibility the Saints could have had that draft choice for Onyemata slotted into the end of the fourth round instead of the beginning of the fifth frame’s comp picks, given some uncertainty in different models, but it was always likelier to fall in this place.

So what will the Saints do with these extra picks? Their history suggests these draft resources will be spent trading up to target players in the earlier rounds. New Orleans has been given six comp picks over the last three draft classes and general manager Mickey Loomis has traded all of them in moves up the board, which you can read more about here.

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Little potential for compensatory draft picks in the Saints’ 2025 forecast

Experts see little potential for compensatory draft picks in the Saints’ 2025 forecast. Mickey Loomis must make the most of his choices in 2024:

It’s been good to see the New Orleans Saints changing their valuation of compensatory draft picks in recent years. Acquiring extra draft picks in exchange for losing free agents to other teams has worked out for them. Just look at their past history:

  • 2021: Comp picks in rounds three (Nos. 98 and 105) and six (218)
  • 2022: Comp picks in rounds three (Nos. 98 and 101)
  • 2023: Comp pick in round seven (No. 257)

And while the Saints expect to continue that trend in 2024 (they’re projected to receive three extra picks in the fifth round, per Over The Cap) the forecast for 2025 isn’t looking very favorable. Remember, teams are awarded comp picks in the following year’s draft based off the current year’s free agency results. And New Orleans simply lacks many players who are seen as desirable qualifiers.

OTC’s Nick Korte explains:

The Saints remain devoted to keeping core players on their roster, no matter how much they amortize the cap dollars associated with their contracts to do so. This regularly leaves them with few CFA worthy players hitting free agency. But on the other hand, filling up on incumbent players also tends to make them avoid free agency. In the past couple of seasons this has generated some comp picks for them, but typically they do not care much about them, and this could be one of those seasons where they revert to their mean.

Many of the Saints’ top players expected to become available will not qualify for the comp picks formula: guys like Jameis Winston, Michael Thomas, and Andrus Peat. It’s possible that backups on defense earn better opportunities and higher salaries elsewhere, but any signings the Saints make could balance out the losses (and possible comp picks) for defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, linebacker Zack Baun, or cornerback Isaac Yiadom.

So that means the Saints must make the most of their comp picks while they have them. And fans should expect them to be traded. The Saints have traded every comp pick they’ve received in the last three years:

  • Both third-round comp picks in 2021 were packaged in a trade to move up and pick cornerback Paulson Adebo
  • The seventh-round comp pick in 2021 was traded in a move up for offensive tackle Landon Young
  • Both third-round comp picks in 2022 were traded; No. 98 was used to move up for wide receiver Chris Olave, while No. 101 was traded in the package of picks used to get another first rounder, which became left tackle Trevor Penning
  • And the seventh-round comp pick in 2023 was packaged with tight end Adam Trautman in a trade up, targeting wide receiver A.T. Perry

So this tells us that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis tends to view comp picks as trade ammunition more than anything else. He’s known as an aggressive wheeler-and-dealer on draft day, and recent history lays out his go-to strategy very clearly. We’ll see if the trend continues in 2024, but the Saints may not have the promise of extra picks to lean on in 2025, depending on how free agency plays out this March.

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List of Saints’ 2024 NFL draft picks in each round

The latest projections are in. Here are the New Orleans Saints’ 2024 NFL draft picks in each round:

The 2024 NFL draft will be here before we know it, and it’s a critical event for the New Orleans Saints. With so many salary cap dollars going towards the team’s aging veterans, it’s vital that the Saints hit on as many picks as possible to replenish the roster with young talent.

And this year, the Saints are expected to receive nine picks — they already own six selections, but they’re anticipating three more as compensatory picks for losing free agents last offseason. Where those picks slot in and whether they even actually transfer is yet to be seen, but we’ll refer to the latest projections from Over The Cap and Tankathon to give you can idea of what the Saints should have to work with in April.

Here’s a quick look at each of their nine picks and and how they acquired each selection:

Over The Cap finalizes comp pick projections, with good news for Saints

Over The Cap finalized their compensatory draft pick projections for 2024, with good news for the New Orleans Saints:

The analysts at Over The Cap finalized their compensatory pick projections for the 2024 NFL draft, with good news for the New Orleans Saints: right now, the Saints are predicted to receive three comp picks in this year’s event. But where will they fall?

OTC’s Nick Korte writes that one of them is basically a coin flip, with the Saints expected to receive a fourth- or fifth-round selection for losing David Onyemata to the Atlanta Falcons last season. Between the contracts and valuation of different qualifying players around the league, that pick should fall either at the end of the fourth round (around No. 134) or at the beginning of the fifth round’s comp picks (roughly No. 166). That’s a big swing, and the earlier that pick slots in, the better for New Orleans.

But that isn’t the only comp pick the Saints are expected to receive. OTC has them netting a pair of fifth-round picks as compensation for losing linebacker Kaden Elliss (to the Falcons) and defensive end Marcus Davenport (to the Minnesota Vikings) last offseason.

Assuming the Saints will get three comp picks in the fifth round (as is OTC’s official projection), here is where New Orleans expects to be picking:

  • Round 1, Pick 14
  • Round 2, Pick 45 (via Denver Broncos)
  • Round 5, Pick 148
  • Round 5, Pick 167 (compensatory)
  • Round 5, Pick 168 (compensatory)
  • Round 5, Pick 172 (compensatory)
  • Round 6, Pick 191
  • Round 6, Pick 200 (via Philadelphia Eagles)
  • Round 7, Pick 229 (via Denver Broncos)

We won’t find out for sure until comp picks are announced later this year, typically the week before free agency starts in March. Keep an eye out for confirmation and the official draft order.

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Where the Saints are picking in the 2024 NFL draft after Week 14

Where are the Saints picking in the 2024 NFL draft after Week 14’s games? Here’s a quick look at the latest projections:

Where are the New Orleans Saints picking in the 2024 NFL draft after Week 14’s games? With picks coming back from the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles, it’s worth keeping up with other squads around the league as standings begin to settle going into the playoffs race.

But it’s all about the Saints. Here’s a quick look at the latest projections with Week 14 in the books, via Tankathon:

  • Round 1, Pick 12
  • Round 2, Pick 50 (via Broncos)
  • Round 5, Pick 146
  • Round 6, Pick 187
  • Round 6, Pick 204 (via Eagles)
  • Round 7, Pick 235 (via Broncos)

Fortunately that’s not all, it’s just the only the picks the Saints have to work with right now. They’re projected to receive three compensatory selections in the fifth round that would slot in at Nos. 167, 168, and 173 for having lost David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss, and Marcus Davenport in free agency earlier this year. But those comp picks won’t be confirmed until March so they may end up differently than expected.

So how did we get here? Where are all of the Saints’ early-round picks? General manager Mickey Loomis traded them away. He sent New Orleans’ second-round pick (No. 43) to the Philadelphia Eagles to get another first-round pick in last year’s draft, which was spent on Trevor Penning. He also traded the Saints’ fourth-round pick (No. 113) to the Jacksonville Jaguars to move up and get Jake Haener in this year’s draft. And Loomis sent the third-round pick (No. 78) back to the Broncos along with Sean Payton to facilitate that trade.

Loomis and the Saints went all-in on Dennis Allen’s vision for the team. What it’s gotten them is a losing record and a series of tiebreaking losses for the crown in the worst division in pro football, and now the cupboard is looking awfully bare.

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Updated Saints 2024 draft pick projections after Broncos’ 4-game winning streak

The Broncos have won four games in a row, dramatically shifting the Saints’ projected picks in the 2024 NFL draft:

This isn’t great. The Denver Broncos have won four games in a row, improving their record to 5-5 in Sean Payton’s first year on the job — powered by five Wil Lutz field goals in a Sunday night win against the Minnesota Vikings.

All of their success has a ripple effect on the New Orleans Saints, who are receiving Denver’s second- and seventh-round 2024 draft picks after trading Payton and Lutz to them earlier this year. Where are the Saints projected to be picking now that the Broncos have turned things around?

Here’s the Saints’ updated draft order from Tankathon, based off the latest standings after Week 11:

  • Round 1, pick 19
  • Round 2, pick 47 (via Denver Broncos)
  • Round 4, pick 136 (compensatory)
  • Round 5, pick 155
  • Round 5, pick 171 (compensatory)
  • Round 5, pick 174 (compensatory)
  • Round 6, pick 196
  • Round 6, pick 209 (via Philadelphia Eagles)
  • Round 7, pick 235 (via Denver Broncos)

Remember, those compensatory draft picks for 2023 free agents David Onyemata, Marcus Davenport, and Kaden Elliss will not be awarded until March, and it’s possible the expert predictions miss the mark. We’ll have to wait and see.

For now, it’s looking like there will be a sizeable gap between the Saints’ second-round choice (coming from Denver) and their next pick, whether it’s a compensatory fourth rounder or their own pick in the fifth round. Trading so many early-round picks away like Mickey Loomis has done will do that. Philadelphia controls the Saints’ second-round selection, while Denver has New Orleans’ third-round choice, and the Saints’ fourth-round pick is going to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hopefully those compensatory picks transfer as expected.

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Saints projected to receive multiple compensatory picks in 2024 draft

After enduring a lot of losses in free agency, the New Orleans Saints are projected to receive multiple compensatory picks in the 2024 draft:

The New Orleans Saints are projected to receive multiple compensatory picks in the 2024 draft after enduring a lot of losses in free agency. They’ve lost prominent players like defensive linemen David Onyemata (Atlanta Falcons), Marcus Davenport (Minnesota Vikings), Shy Tuttle (Carolina Panthers), and Kentavius Street (Philadelphia Eagles); linebacker Kaden Elliss (Falcons), safety Justin Evans (Eagles), offensive tackle Ethan Greenidge (Falcons), and wide receivers Marquez Callaway (Denver Broncos) and Deonte Harty (Buffalo Bills) are also playing elsewhere. So is quarterback Andy Dalton (Panthers).

Compare that to a surprisingly brief number of high-dollar new additions: defensive linemen Nathan Shepherd (New York Jets) and Khalen Saunders (Kansas City Chiefs), plus running back Jamaal Williams (Detroit Lions). The comp picks formula counts additions against subtractions in free agency, then awards future selections based on the exchange in value (which is determined by how much money is tied up in contracts and how many snaps players see on the field, among other factors). Players who sign at the veteran’s minimum like defensive backs Johnathan Abram, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Ugo Amadi, wide receiver Bryan Edwards, and right tackle Storm Norton don’t count.

So where do the Saints stand? NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projects the Saints to receive two fourth-rounders and a sixth-round comp pick in 2024, writing:

Some of the signings/departures cancel each other out here, but the Saints are likely to receive three picks, including fourth-rounders for Davenport and Onyemata.

Teams are capped at four compensatory picks, so they may have qualified for another late-round comp pick had they chosen to not sign either Shepherd, Saunders, or Williams. But it probably would have only been a sixth- or seventh-round selection. It’s worth more to have those veterans on the team than to have another late-round pick a year from now.

We’ve got a while to wait until these comp picks are confirmed. The NFL Management Council typically announces them in early March, before the start of that year’s free agency signing period. But if these projections are accurate (Zierlein’s expected haul for the Saints matches what’s being estimated by Over The Cap’s Nick Korte), here’s what the Saints will be working with in the 2024 draft:

  • Round 1
  • Round 2 (via Denver Broncos)
  • Round 4 (compensatory for Marcus Davenport)
  • Round 4 (compensatory for David Onyemata)
  • Round 5
  • Round 6
  • Round 6 (via Philadelphia Eagles or Tennessee Titans)
  • Round 6 (compensatory for Kaden Elliss)

New Orleans has already traded several of their 2024 picks. They sent a third rounder back to Denver in the Sean Payton trade and spent a fourth rounder to get another pick in the 2023 draft from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their seventh-round selection belongs to the Houston Texans as part of the trade that brought Mark Ingram II back to New Orleans in 2021. The Saints could move more picks to acquire veterans between now and the NFL trade deadline in November, but it’s worth noting those compensatory picks cannot be included until they’re actually awarded in March 2023.

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Free agent Saints safety Justin Evans signing with Eagles

Free agent New Orleans Saints safety Justin Evans is signing a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Network reports:

Hey, good for Justin Evans. The New Orleans Saints backup safety is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. It’s a one-year deal for the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick.

Evans is a great story. He’s only 27 years old but lost several years of his career recovering from complicated lower-leg injuries, and he impressed Saints coaches so strongly last summer they were willing to move on from disgruntled slot corner C.J. Gardner-Johnson by the end of training camp. He ultimately played 391 snaps on defense, mainly covering the slot and lining up over the top at free safety, while also running with the kickoff and punt coverage units on special teams.

Evans was an important depth player for the Saints throughout the year, even if he struggled a bit in a starting role. They’ll need to make moves like signing former Houston Texans starter Lonnie Johnson Jr. to overcome this loss. He may factor into the compensatory picks formula for the 2024 NFL draft but we’ll have to wait and see what his contract is valued at to know for sure.

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