![NFL Rules Saints Do Not Have to Forfeit 2021 Draft Pick, But There’s a Catch](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2021/02/GettyImages-1197687940.jpg?w=980&q=75)
NFL Rules Saints Do Not Have to Forfeit 2021 Draft Pick, But There’s a Catch
New Orleans Saints fans were anticipating the NFL taking away at least one, perhaps multiple 2021 draft picks from the team for COVID-19 violations.
Surprise!
The Saints and Las Vegas Raiders appealed to the NFL, and will keep all their picks in the upcoming 2021 draft, according to Pro Football Talk.
However, it comes with a twist.
For a few hours, it appeared the Saints would not be punished.
Both the Saints and Las Vegas Raiders were penalized by the league during the 2020 season for COVID-19 violations. New Orleans was docked a seventh-round pick for a mask-less locker room celebration, while Vegas had a sixth-rounder taken away for multiple violations. Coaches Sean Payton and Jon Gruden were also fined for not wearing a mask on the sidelines for the entirety of a game.
A few months ago, more reports surfaced of the Saints would endure additional punishment due to having a non-employee at the team's facility.
I don't know the exact nature of the Saints appeal process, but it was likely evidence of a plethora of teams around the league celebrating in the locker room after games without a mask, other coaches who removed their mask during a game, players on the sidelines without masks, or any other obvious violation by another franchise during the league year.
Given the history between the Saints and the league office, the news was surprising, but only for a few hours.
Shortly after Pro Football Talk dropped their report, the league announced the Saints would indeed be punished, it just wouldn't be until 2022.
Here's a rundown of all the Saints selections in the upcoming 2021 draft.
With all the players they were forced to release to get under the salary cap, it's imperative the Saints hit big in this year's draft.
Every Saints Player Released in 2021 and the Cap Savings of Each One
Youngest NFL Franchises
2021 NBA All-Stars
![103.3 The GOAT logo](https://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2022/10/attachment-900-1.jpg?w=100)
More From 103.3 The GOAT
![Saints’ Lattimore Reminds League He’s Still the Top Cornerback](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2024/06/attachment-GettyImages-1672223278.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Saints Boltser Offensive Line Depth By Signing Veteran Lucas Patrick](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2024/05/attachment-GettyImages-1677403871.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Longtime Saints Offensive Lineman Andrus Peat Signing With Las Vegas Raiders](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2024/05/attachment-GettyImages-1175041291.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Orleans Saints Sign a Quarterback and Wide Receiver](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2024/04/attachment-GettyImages-1291445279.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Orleans Saints Sign Former Washington Commanders Linebacker Khaleke Hudson](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2024/04/attachment-GettyImages-1880609790.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton Tears into His New QB Russell Wilson](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2023/09/attachment-GettyImages-1626686034.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Aaron Rogers Responds to Sean Payton’s Comments on Nathaniel Hackett](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2023/08/attachment-GettyImages-1556771724.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former Saints Coach Sean Payton Unloads On Former Broncos Coach Nathaniel Hackett](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2023/07/attachment-GettyImages-1470265522.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Did Roc Nation CEO Leak Racist Emails That Got Jon Gruden Fired?](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2023/07/attachment-GettyImages-1465390394-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)