METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints kicked off their 2023 NFL draft by selecting defensive tackle Bryan Bresee with the No. 29 selection of the first round on Thursday night in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

The Saints opened draft night with eight of the draft’s 259 picks, but after some trade activity, they finished the three-day event with seven selections.

Here's a pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Saints’ selections:

Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

Round 1, No. 29 overall (from San Francisco through Miami and Denver): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

My take: There's a reason Bresee was tied to the Saints throughout the draft process. The need was obvious after the departure of David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle, but he's also the prototype for them at the position. The Saints did their homework, visiting with him at the NFL combine, taking him and his Clemson teammates out to dinner and also putting him through a private workout. New Orleans coach Dennis Allen said Bresee's ability to overcome a history of injuries and the recent death of his sister impressed them. "He's shown a lot of fortitude in his ability to overcome adversity," Allen said.

When will he be expected to get regular playing time? The expectation is Bresee will get into the rotation right away. The Saints signed Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd in free agency, and have Malcolm Roach on the roster, but that won't impede playing time. The Saints like to rotate all of their defensive linemen, and Bresee will likely play a different role. Allen said Bresee's versatility is one of his best traits, so it's likely they'll mix and match defensive line packages and move him around at different spots to find where he best fits.

What we're hearing about Bresee: Allen described Bresee as "an exceptional talent," and he came in at 6-foot-6 and 298 pounds at the combine. "He fills a position of need, and I think he's going to be an outstanding addition to our team," Allen said.

Bresee also dealt with an illness and "a lot of crazy things" in 2022, describing them as "a lot of things that make you grow up pretty quickly." He said he feels great medically after shoulder and knee surgeries earlier in his college career.

Round 2, No. 40 overall: Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame

My take: The Saints continued their overhaul of the defensive line by adding an edge rusher to go along with first-round pick. It was expected the Saints would address this unit after the departures of DT Shy Tuttle, DT David Onyemata and DE Marcus Davenport, so it's not a surprise the first two picks fell this way. Foskey fits the Saints' mold in multiple ways: He's 6-5 and 265 pounds, and he participated in the Senior Bowl, where the Saints have found a lot of their draft picks. He was also highly productive as a rusher in college, with 11 sacks in both his junior and senior seasons at Notre Dame.

Will he start as a rookie? Foskey will have an opportunity to do so, although it's not a sure thing -- as 2021 first-rounder Payton Turner still hasn't turned the corner and was a healthy scratch at times last season and Carl Granderson has developed nicely going into his fifth season, but he doesn't have a starting spot locked down. The Saints will put Foskey into the rotation at minimum and find a place for him in a few of their rush packages, but if he develops quickly enough, it's not out of the question to see him leapfrog another rusher to start opposite of the franchise's all-time sack leader in Cameron Jordan.

Round 3, No. 71 overall: Kendre Miller, RB, TCU

My take: The last two seasons showed the importance of finding solid running back depth, particularly when the Saints had to trade for Mark Ingram during the 2021 season. They have taken big strides to resolve that problem, signing Jamaal Williams in free agency before staying put in the third round for Miller, who had 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. Alvin Kamara, who turns 28 before this season, is currently dealing with an off-the-field issue that could cause him to miss time. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said he's not worried about a long absence if Kamara is suspended, but it could open the door for Miller to see early playing time.

What we're hearing about Miller: Miller said he visited the Saints during the pre-draft process and already feels like he has a relationship with running backs coach Joel Thomas. He said he compliments Kamara, who he called a "great receiving back," because he's a versatile back and can do multiple things on the field. He said he feels like his receiving ability is underrated (29 catches for 229 yards and a touchdown in college), and with the way the Saints use their backs as pass catchers, this could be a benefit to the offense. Although he injured his knee in January, he said he'll be good to go for training camp.

Round 4, No. 103 overall: Nick Saldiveri, OL, Old Dominion

My take: Saldiveri primarily played right tackle for three seasons at Old Dominion, so the pick might come as a surprise to some considering the Saints have an established RT and drafted Trevor Penning in the 2022 first round to play LT. However, Saldiveri could potentially slide inside to guard. If that's the case, there could be a long term development plan there.

Longtime left guard Andrus Peat reworked his contract and it voids next year, and it's unknown yet if the Saints will pick up the fifth-year option of RG Cesar Ruiz. Saldiveri took snaps at right guard and center at the Senior Bowl and said he has no problem moving around on the line.

Round 4, No. 127 overall: Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State

My take: The Saints sent the Jaguars a 2022 seventh-round pick (227) and their 2024 fourth-round pick to get back in the fourth round and get a backup quarterback. Haener will learn behind Derek Carr and Jameis Winston. The Saints are tied to Carr for a while after signing him through the 2026 season, but Winston only has one more year left on his deal. The Saints typically keep three quarterbacks (depending on how Taysom Hill is viewed) and 2021 fourth-round pick Ian Book only lasted a season. There are bigger needs for the immediate present, but getting a quarterback in the building now to develop for the future is clearly the long-term goal. Haener, the 2023 Senior Bowl MVP, is another player to join the Saints from that pipeline.

Round 5, No. 146 overall: Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota

My take: Howden is a depth pick for now behind safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye. He's part of several additions the Saints have made to the safety room in the offseason to add players behind that pair. He'll likely be a player who starts on special teams, where he has a lot of experience. He played five seasons at Minnesota, with 240 total tackles, four career interceptions and 20 pass deflections. Howden played at free safety and in the slot in college. The Saints value position versatility, so he's potentially someone who could be moved around at different positions.

Round 6, No. 195 overall: A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest

My take: The biggest surprise about this pick was that the Saints gave up on TE Adam Trautman to get it, sending him and a 2023 seventh-rounder to the Broncos to move into the sixth round. It was anticipated the Saints would add another skill position player, and Perry had some impressive stats at Wake Forest, finishing his career with 171 catches for 2,662 yards and 28 touchdowns. He'll compete for a spot after the Saints let Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harty leave in free agency. The selection of Perry could put Tre'Quan Smith's role in jeopardy.