The New Orleans Saints were really, really good in the 2017 NFL Draft, and just a bit lucky. The combination helped the franchise select the two players who became the league’s top rookies on defense and offense.
The smidgeon of luck? Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was a projected top five pick who somehow tumbled to No. 11, one spot behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes II. Mahomes very well could have been picked to serve as New Orleans’ quarterback of the future at No. 11, but when the Chiefs selected him at No. 10, the choice of Lattimore was an easy one for the Saints, who needed help in the secondary.