The move didn’t come a much of surprise.
When the New Orleans Saints trimmed their roster from 90 to 53 on Tuesday, defensive end Isaiah Foskey wasn’t on it.
Foskey, just two years removed from being a second-round pick by the Saints, never lived up to expectations.
The last time Foskey sacked a quarterback was in November of 2022. That was against Southern Cal as Foskey was finishing up his stellar career at Notre Dame. He finished is the school’s all-time leader in sacks. All of his college success and all the boxes he checked at the NFL combine never translated to the NFL. At least not with the Saints.
Who knows? Perhaps he latches on with another team and resurrects his career like former Saints’ Trey Hendrickson and Zack Baun did when they moved on. Or maybe he hit his peak in South Bend.
Whichever direction his career goes from here, one thing is clear.
He's the latest in a recent run of guys the Saints selected with a top 40 pick that didn’t quite pan out.
Foskey joins a list that includes Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner of Top 40 draft picks who never made major contributions during their time in New Orleans.
Foskey was drafted 40th in 2023.
Davenport was drafted 14th in 2018.
Turner was drafted 28th in 2021.
Davenport and Turner never could stay healthy. Turner is still dealing with injuries and was put on the Dallas Cowboys injured reserve list (ribs) Tuesday.
The Saints have selected seven other players with a top 40 pick since 2018.
Cesar Ruiz, selected 24th in 2020, has started consistently. But he has had his struggles this preseason.
Chris Olave (11th in 2022) is one of the team’s best offensive weapons, but has dealt with several concussions in his first three seasons. If he stays healthy, he can be a special one. Trevor Penning (19th pick in 2022) has also dealt with injuries and hasn’t lived up to expectations. Penning’s switch this offseason from tackle to guard is supposed to change the course of his career, but he’s currently in a walking boot dealing with a toe injury.
Outside of Foskey, the last four of the Saints draft picks in the top 40 look more promising.
Defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (29th pick in 2023) has been solid in his first two seasons.
Tali Fuaga (14th pick in 2024) appears to be a staple at tackle for years to come. Same goes for Kelvin Banks (9th pick this year), who could end up being one of the best draft picks in years for the Saints. And finally, there is quarterback Tyler Shough, selected with the 40th pick in April. Shough didn’t win the starting quarterback job, but he has shown flashes that he has the skillset and traits to become the franchise’s long-term solution at quarterback.
Time will tell.
There have been some hits outside of the top 40 picks, like Erik McCoy (48th pick in 2019).
But one thing we know is the Saints have missed on several draft picks over the last few years. It’s a big reason they haven’t been to the playoffs since the 2020 season, Drew Brees’ final year. It's why the Saints are in the rebuild they now find themselves in. The postseason drought probably won’t end this season. The Saints desperately need to start hitting on their draft picks, especially the ones in the early rounds.
Foskey not lasting through the end of his rookie contract is the latest reminder.
Saints draft picks selected in Top 40 since2018
2018 Marcus Davenport (14)
2020 Cesar Ruiz (24)
2021 Payton Turner (28)
2022 Chris Olave (11),Trevor Penning (19)
2023 Bryan Bresee(29),Isaiah Foskey (40)
2024 Tali Fuaga (14)
2025 Kelvin Banks (9), Tyler Shough (40)