Throughout the 2024 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Below you will find a Week 18 roundup for the New Orleans Saints in our consensus 2024 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 24
Most improved: Cornerback
This answer could change if the Saints trade Marshon Lattimore this summer, but the addition of second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry is a solid addition to a group that includes Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor. New Orleans didn't improve in a lot of areas this offseason, but McKinstry could either be in the rotation right away or be trained as Lattimore's replacement. -- Katherine Terrell
This answer could change if the Saints trade Marshon Lattimore this summer, but the addition of second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry is a solid addition to a group that includes Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor. New Orleans didn't improve in a lot of areas this offseason, but McKinstry could either be in the rotation right away or be trained as Lattimore's replacement. -- Katherine Terrell
NFL.com -- Rank: 25
To me, the Saints' draft hinges on their top three guys: OT Taliese Fuaga, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry and QB Spencer Rattler, in that order for now. The massive Fuaga fills a huge hole, assuming he can handle speed rushers early. Kool-Aid doesn't need to play a lot of snaps immediately but could be Paulson Adebo's replacement in 2025. And then there's Rattler. Look, he was a fifth-round pick for a reason, but I'm lightly buying stock on him. Derek Carr's future hangs in the balance, and I know Jake Haener was a higher pick (No. 127 overall) than Rattler (No. 150) just a year ago, but there's something about the South Carolina QB I can't quit. He might have landed in the perfect spot. Or, for all we know, he might be the Saints' latest Day 3 dart throw that misses the mark. But if Rattler gets a chance down the road, he could really make this class shine in a few years.
MORE: 2024 NFL Strength of Schedule
CBS Sports -- Rank: 27
They will have a new-look offense with a new coordinator in Klint Kubiak, but are they any better on that side of the ball when it comes to talent? Age has also crept in on defense.
USA Today -- Rank: 27
Unless new OC Klint Kubiak radically rejuvenates this offense, just feels like this krewe is steadily losing ground — or at least entrenched at mediocre — in a division that's incrementally advancing beyond average. The top draft picks (OT Taliese Fuaga, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry) are good players, but ones unlikely to change this team's trajectory for the better in the near term.
The Athletic -- Rank: 30
The Saints might have stumbled into their next starting quarterback ... or into a quarterback controversy. New Orleans drafted South Carolina's Spencer Rattler with the 150th pick. Given current starter Derek Carr's sometimes shaky hold on the job and Rattler's NFL arm, Saints fans might be calling for a change by midseason.
Fox Sports -- Rank: 25
I really think the Saints could be a solid team with better offensive line play. Is it realistic to think they'll get that in 2024? Hard to say. First-round pick Taliese Fuaga looks like a badass, but what does the future hold for Ryan Ramczyk? Tough to feel good about Derek Carr's prospects without knowing more about the guys up front.
More New Orleans Saints pages:
- New Orleans Saints Mock Draft Roundup
- New Orleans Saints 2024 NFL Draft Grades
- New Orleans Saints Draft History
- New Orleans Saints Schedule
- New Orleans Saints Tickets
Check out more of our content:
- 2025 NFL Mock Draft
- 2024 NBA Mock Draft
- Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule
- Fantasy Football Mock Drafts
- MLB Power Rankings
Check out our mock draft databases:
Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.