The New Orleans Saints are fresh off a puzzling trade in which they gave up serious draft capital to gain their second first-round pick in this year’s draft. Some speculate there is another move coming for New Orleans; however, this may not be the case. No matter how you see it, this is a trade for the current, and the future has been disregarded as Mickey Loomis proves he wants to win now.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 1, Pick 16: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
This is about the only way you can justify the trade for the Saints, but it requires them getting lucky. Penning falls into their lap here at 16 and can be an instant replacement for Terron Armstead, who went to the Miami Dolphins this offseason. Penning won’t be the same All-Pro that Armstead was (at least at first), but he will provide continuity to the position while developing further over the years.
For more on Penning, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 1, Pick 19: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
This pick remains the same from the post-free agency mock and the pre-free agency mock. The Saints are “infatuated” with Olave, and he certainly can be a top-20 pick in this draft. The route running creates more diversity in the receiving room and an excellent change of pace from the big, jump-ball receivers that New Orleans has featured for so long.
For more on Olave, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 2, Pick 49: Travis Jones, DL, UConn
Jones was one of the big winners from the NFL combine, posting a raw athletic score of 9.65. Some have compared him to Auburn’s Derrick Brown, who was the seventh-overall pick in 2020 to the Carolina Panthers. While there may be bigger needs for the Saints here, Jones can be a difference-maker on the defense and create an immediate impact.
For more on Jones, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 3, Pick 98: Dane Belton, SAF, Iowa
If you are reading this and asking yourself, “Who?”, then it’s time to fill you in on one of the most underrated players in this class. Belton is an incredibly smart defender with great athleticism and solid ball skills. He has the range to replace Marcus Williams, who left for the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. Belton could be the best pick of this entire mock for New Orleans as the potential to be an above-average starter is there.
Round 4, Pick 120: Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
The Adam Trautman train is coming close to reaching the station. The former Dayton product has not impressed much throughout his two-year career, and depth is needed in this position. Woods is a guy who shocked everyone at the combine, posting a 10.0 raw athletic score, asserting himself as one of the most athletic guys to ever enter the league. He is definitely raw, however, so backing up Trautman for a few years would not be the worst thing in the world so that he can develop into a full-time starter.
For more on Woods, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 5, Pick 161: Cade Mays, iOL, Tennessee
This is really just a depth move, but there is no guy you want more than Mays for depth. He gives some tremendous versatility and experience to New Orleans. He has solid hands and is more of a jack-of-all-trades type player than someone who stands out with just one trait. Mays can make the roster with ease and be a reliable piece down the road.
Round 6, Pick 194: Mike Rose, LB, Iowa State
With this final pick in this one, the Saints turn to a very experienced player in Rose. At Iowa State, he was a production monster who showed great smarts and athleticism. With the lack of linebacker depth in New Orleans, Rose should be safe from a post preseason cut. If need be, Rose can get some reps early if someone goes down with an injury and is a nice body to have.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk
Follow Charlie Parent on Twitter @Charlie_Parent
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
One Response