The New Orleans Saints are just starting to get into their offseason, with several big questions looming.
Who will be the new offensive coordinator? What changes will be made to the scheme and at position coaches? All of that will inform a lot. But that won't stop us from taking an early swing at the 2024 draft in the latest episode of Inside Black & Gold.
Check out the full episode in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
For reference, here's what the Saints' draft picks look like right now prior to any compensatory selections being rewarded:
- 1.14
- 2.45 (via Broncos)
- 5.148
- 6.191
- 6.200
- 7.229
The Saints are expected to land a few extra picks in the 5th round, but the picture won't change much. The Saints have two premium picks, then -- barring trades -- a handful of darts to throw on Day 3.
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Just like in year's past, Steve Geller and myself took separate strolls through Pro Football Focus' simulator to set the first 13 selections, then make a choice for the Saints. Steve's mock is just for Round 1, while I push my mock into the second round. We'll save a full 7-round mock for another day when we know a bit more about some of these prospects.
And, again, if you have issues with the non-Saints picks, take that up with PFF.
STEVE'S MOCK
- 1. Bears: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
- 2. Commanders: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
- 3. Patriots: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
- 4. Cardinals: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
- 5. Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
- 6. Giants: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
- 7. Titans: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
- 8. Falcons: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
- 9. Bears: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
- 10. Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
- 11. Vikings: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
- 12. Broncos: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
- 13. Raiders: Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
- 14. Saints: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
- 15. Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
- 16. Seahawks: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
- 17. Jaguars: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
- 18. Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
- 19. Rams: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
- 20. Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
- 21. Dolphins: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
- 22. Eagles: Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington
- 23. Texans: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
- 24. Cowboys: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
- 25. Packers: Leonard Taylor II, DT, Miami
- 26. Bucs: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
- 27. Cardinals: Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama
- 28. Bills: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
- 29. Chiefs: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
- 30. Lions: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
- 31. 49ers: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
- 32. Ravens: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
THE PICK (14): Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
THE WHY: Enough of the projects. We get it, the Saints trust their scouting and their prototypes and they won't be scared off by injury history or production or whatever. But I've had enough and it's time to add a true blue-chip prospect to rush the passer. That's what Verse is, a highly productive member of possibly the most elite defensive unit in the nation. At an athletic 6-4, 260 pounds he'll fit right into what the Saints want to do, and he's harassed the QB effectively with 9 sacks in each of the past two seasons while logging 89 tackles, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and three passes defensed. He'll slot immediately into a rotation that would suddenly look fierce with productive players in Carl Granderson, a veteran in Cam Jordan and players who could still show upside in the oft-injured Payton Turner and young Isaiah Foskey.
JEFF'S MOCK
- 1. Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
- 2. Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
- 3. Patriots: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
- 4. Cardinals: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
- 5. Chargers: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
- 6. Giants: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
- 7. Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
- 8. Falcons: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
- 9. Bears: Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
- 10. Jets: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
- 11. Vikings: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
- 12. Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
- 13. Raiders: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
- 14. Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
- 15. Colts: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
- 16. Seahawks: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
- 17. Jaguars: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
- 18. Bengals: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
- 19. Rams: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
- 20. Steelers: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
- 21. Dolphins: Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama
- 22. Eagles: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
- 23. Texans: Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington
- 24. Cowboys: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
- 25. Packers: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
- 26. Bucs: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
- 27. Cardinals: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
- 28. Bills: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
- 29. Chiefs: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
- 30. Lions: Kamren Kinchens, S. Miami
- 31. 49ers: Graham Barton, OT, Duke
- 32. Ravens: Jonah Elliss, Edge, Utah
THE PICK (14): Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
THE WHY: I'll be honest here and say that this early in the process I don't have strong feelings about the top end OT prospects. This is more of a scenario pick, and the way the board developed with all the WRs and QBs going in the top 13 and only two tackles, that means the Saints basically have their pick of whomever they have rated the highest. That could very well be Fuaga who stands at a hulking 6-6, 334 pounds and could potentially be that elite run blocker the Saints thought they were getting in Penning. Whether they project him at right or left tackle, I don't really care (he played on the right side for the Beavers). I need to bring in at least one high-end prospect if I land in this scenario. It could be Latham or another top-end name, but the value here would be too much to pass up in my opinion, as tempted as I would be to add a pass-rusher.
- ANOTHER PICK (2.45): Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
- THE WHY: I didn't bother to list out the board for the second round because I reached for the top slot corner on the board and I feel good about, even if PFF gave me an F grade for taking the former Wolverine about a round earlier than they'd have suggested. Keep in mind the Saints don't have a third or fourth rounder. They could obviously swing a trade to add one, but because of that I'm not going to get too worked up about value. I need to go get my guy, and one of the serious needs I've identified the past few seasons is in the slot. There's no better option in this draft for a guy you can plug in there Day 1 and feel good about it. There's some scouting to be done on some of the outside CBs and safeties to project slot ability even if they didn't do it in college, but for now I'm keeping it simple with a young player that's won at a high level for a long time. It's really not dissimilar to the Isaiah Foskey pick in 2022, another guy who probably came off the board early but filled a clear need. I feel good about this pick, because I fully intend to move Alontae Taylor outside next season, assuming offseason plans go as intended.
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