When it comes to the NFL Draft, every franchise approaches the process with a different philosophy. Some teams focus on stockpiling draft picks, while others prefer to leverage their selections for immediate upgrades. However, few teams have approached the draft with the same level of restraint and strategic selectiveness as the New Orleans Saints under general manager Mickey Loomis. Since Loomis took over as the Saints’ GM in 2002, the team has consistently drafted fewer players than almost every other franchise in the league, with only four teams drafting fewer players in that span.
While this approach has raised eyebrows and sparked criticism at times, it has also played a crucial role in the team’s success over the years. The Saints’ strategy, or lack of volume in terms of draft picks, is a result of several factors, from aggressive trade tactics to a strong belief in veteran talent. But, as the franchise moves further into the post-Drew Brees era, how sustainable is this approach, and does it still make sense for the Saints moving forward?
### The Loomis Era: A History of Strategic Restraint
Mickey Loomis has served as the general manager of the New Orleans Saints for over two decades, making him one of the longest-tenured GMs in the NFL. During his tenure, the Saints have experienced unprecedented success, including a Super Bowl victory in the 2009 season, multiple division titles, and sustained playoff contention. Much of this success has been built on a foundation of careful roster management, shrewd trades, and a scouting department that has continually unearthed talent in both the draft and free agency.
Despite their sustained success, the Saints have consistently been at the bottom of the league in terms of the number of draft picks they use. In fact, only four teams—**the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers**—have drafted fewer players than the Saints since Loomis became the GM in 2002.
This stark contrast in draft strategy has led many analysts and fans to ask why the Saints continue to operate this way. The answer lies in Loomis’ overall philosophy: the value of quality over quantity, an aggressive trade strategy, and a deep reliance on veteran players to fill roster spots.
### Quality Over Quantity
One of the key reasons why the Saints have drafted fewer players under Loomis is their commitment to quality over quantity. Loomis and his scouting team have demonstrated a preference for selecting highly skilled, high-character players with strong potential rather than trying to fill out a roster with a large number of rookies. Over the years, the Saints have often been able to target players who can make an immediate impact and contribute to the team’s success right away.
This strategy has been particularly evident in their first-round selections. The Saints have made fewer picks in the early rounds compared to many teams, but they’ve frequently targeted players with star potential. For instance, players like **Marshon Lattimore**, **Cameron Jordan**, **Alvin Kamara**, and **Michael Thomas** were all early-round selections who became key contributors to the team.
In fact, some of the most successful drafts in Saints history under Loomis have come from making a few key, high-impact selections. The team’s 2017 draft, for example, included Lattimore, Kamara, and Ryan Ramczyk, all of whom have been instrumental in the Saints’ success in the years since.
Loomis has not been afraid to trade away picks to target players who will fill immediate needs. While this may seem like a risky strategy, it’s one that has often paid off for the Saints, who have built a perennial contender without needing to churn out dozens of new players every year. This careful, considered approach to drafting has allowed the Saints to maintain consistency and avoid the kind of roster turnover that often hampers rebuilding teams.
### Aggressive Trade Tactics
One of the defining characteristics of Mickey Loomis’ tenure as GM is his willingness to make aggressive trades, particularly in the draft. While other teams may choose to accumulate draft picks and build for the future, Loomis has frequently moved up and down the draft board, using picks to target specific players or veterans who can help the team right away.
This strategy has been most apparent in recent years. For instance, in 2021, the Saints traded up in the first round to select **Payton Turner**, a defensive end from Houston. In 2020, they made a bold move to acquire **Cesar Ruiz**, a guard from Michigan, to bolster their offensive line. These trades may have cost the team extra draft capital, but they allowed the Saints to get players they believed could make a substantial impact immediately.
Loomis is also known for trading future draft picks to acquire veteran players who can help the team compete for a Super Bowl in the short term. This was evident in the trade for **Marcus Davenport**, a pass rusher, in 2018. The Saints traded their 2019 first-round pick to the Green Bay Packers to move up in the draft and select Davenport. While Davenport’s career has had its ups and downs, this move reflected Loomis’ willingness to trade draft picks to secure players who could help elevate the team to championship contention.
### The Free-Agent Focus
Another important aspect of the Saints’ draft strategy is their reliance on free agency to fill roster spots. While many teams use the draft as their primary means of improving the roster, the Saints have consistently been active in free agency, particularly in acquiring veteran players who can contribute immediately.
Under Loomis, the Saints have made several key free-agent signings that have helped the team maintain success. For example, players like **Jared Cook**, **Malcolm Jenkins**, **Drew Brees** (via free agency in 2006), and **Kenny Stills** (re-signed in 2018) have all played important roles on the Saints’ roster over the years. The ability to sign veteran players who can make an immediate impact allows the Saints to focus their limited draft picks on players who can develop into long-term contributors, without needing to fill every gap with rookies.
This reliance on free agency has allowed the Saints to avoid the kind of complete rebuild that teams often undergo after a poor draft year. Instead of having to rely heavily on young, unproven players, the Saints can develop their rookies at a more measured pace while leaning on established veterans to keep the team competitive.
### Does This Strategy Still Work?
As the Saints transition into the post-Drew Brees era, some are questioning whether the team’s draft strategy still holds up. With a new era of quarterbacks and several key players on the wrong side of 30, the team’s window for a Super Bowl title may be closing. This could mean the Saints will need to adjust their approach and focus more on rebuilding the roster through the draft.
However, despite these questions, the Saints’ track record under Loomis cannot be ignored. Even with fewer draft picks, the team has managed to maintain competitiveness year after year. The key question moving forward is whether Loomis will adjust his approach in response to the team’s changing needs or continue to trade draft capital for proven veterans to help maintain their competitive edge.
### Conclusion: A Unique Approach
Mickey Loomis’ approach to the draft has been one of the most unique and polarizing in the NFL. While only four teams have drafted fewer players than the Saints since 2002, Loomis has built a franchise that has been competitive year after year. By focusing on quality over quantity, making strategic trades, and relying on free-agent acquisitions, the Saints have managed to maintain success without needing to consistently restock their roster through the draft.
As the team enters a new phase without Drew Brees, it will be interesting to see if Loomis continues with this philosophy or if the draft becomes a bigger focus for the franchise. For now, though, the Saints’ strategy remains a hallmark of their sustained success—an approach that has made them one of the most consistent teams in the NFL.