METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints started four rookies in Week 1 – a good sign for their 2017 draft class, but also a reminder of why they might be experiencing some growing pains early in the year.
First-round picks Marshon Lattimore and Ryan Ramczyk started at cornerback and left tackle (partly due to injuries to veterans Delvin Breaux and Terron Armstead – though Lattimore likely would have earned a starting gig regardless).
Second-rounder Marcus Williams earned a starting job over Vonn Bell as the preseason went on. And third-rounder Alex Anzalone won the starting weakside linebacker job over veteran Craig Robertson, among others.