It’s almost time for the NFL Draft, the biggest event of the NFL offseason. For the New Orleans Saints, this massive event is especially important, because it will be the team’s best opportunity to improve the roster for next season. Teams usually do that through the draft and free agency, but New Orleans’ lackluster free agency has made it clear that the plan is really to get better in the draft.

The Saints’ offseason has consisted of an offensive coordinator change, swapping out Pete Carmichael for Klint Kubiak, and a few free agency signings. The biggest signing for New Orleans this offseason was bringing Chase Young to the team on a one-year deal. All the other signings can be described as quality depth signings at best.

As a result, the Saints don’t have a great offseason grade entering the 2024 NFL Draft. In a recent piece, Bleacher Report’s scouting department graded all 32 teams’ offseason. New Orleans received a C-grade for their mediocre offseason.

Saints’ offseason considered mediocre heading into draft

Recapping the additions and losses tht New Orleans had this offseason, Bleacher Report explained that New Orleans’ approach in free agency wasn’t all that surprising since the team did enter the offseason significantly over the cap. Now, after a ton of restructures and minor signings, the Saints have $9 million in cap space entering the draft.

New Orleans will turn to the draft to complete the offensive line, add to the wide receiver room, and find some important depth at other positions as well. Bleacher Report pointed out that the Saints did win nine games last season, so a strong draft could put them over the top in a bad NFC South. Depending on how New Orleans drafts with the nine picks it has, the current offseason grade of a C could improve.