It's draft season, and you know what that means? Hearing about all the takes on the Saints' selections, and tearing them apart.
In this case, the Saints' selections of Ohio State WR Chris Olave and Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning drew some high marks, but mostly middling results as analysts questioned the value given to not only add a second first-round selection, but to also climb up the board from No. 16 to snag Olave at 11.
The lone draft grade that ranked the class individually was a C from Chad Reuter of the NFL Network. Here's how the rest broke down for each pick.
PICK 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
A+: none
A: 1
A-: 1
B+: 2
B: 2
B-: 2
C+: 2
C: none
C-: none
AVG: B
Related
Pick 19, Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
A+: none
A: 3
B+: 2
B: 1
B-: 3
C+: none
C: none:
C-: 1
AVG: B+
Related
Scroll below for a roundup of first-round grades from a variety of outlets:
BLEACHER REPORT (Brent Sobleski)
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: B+
Why? "If not for the extra picks the Saints spent to trade up, the Olave pick would have been perfect."
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: B+
Why? "While Penning's attitude and athletic tools are enticing, he remains a work in progress. The FCS product's pad level is consistently high, and his hands can be all over the place. Then again, those things can be taught with proper coaching."
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (Kevin Hanson)
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: B-
Why? "The pick and team are a great match, but the Saints gave up a lot (98th and 120th picks) to move up for my fifth-ranked receiver and 23rd-ranked prospect overall."
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: B+
Why? "Penning plays to the echo of the whistle and has the tenacity and nasty demeanor that will endear him to New Orleans’s coaches. He has prototypical size and length, outstanding strength and athletic feet."
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
YAHOO! SPORTS (Eric Edholm)
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: B
Why? "Olave feels made for the turf — a smooth glider who could put up great numbers with improved QB play in New Orleans. Are we sure Sean Payton doesn’t want to come back?"
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: B-
Why? "He needs work in pass protection, can be penalty-prone and he steps into a big void with Terron Armstead gone."
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
FOX SPORTS
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: B
Why? "The Saints will be criticized by many for the aggression of the trade up, but this was anticipated and is in line with previous bold moves orchestrated by Mickey Loomis."
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: B
Why? "The Northern Iowa product has the frame, athleticism and sheer ferocity to fill a gaping hole at left tackle with Terron Armstead leaving in free agency."
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
SPORTING NEWS (Vinnie Iyer)
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: A-
Why?: "New Orleans fills a big need but it’s a bit surprising Mickey Loomis didn’t go for a quarterback. This means there’s a commitment to making it work with Jameis Winston by giving him a dynamic big-play threat to match his big arm and play off Thomas’ strong intermediate possession skills."
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: A
Why? "Penning has a mean and nasty streak along with his athletic upside in a sturdy frame, making him the ideal bookend for Ryan Ramczyk in front of Winston."
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
THE RINGER (Danny Kelly)
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: C+
Why? "Williams is exciting, but considering there will likely be some very talented receivers still available in the early second round, I don’t love the trade for this team."
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: C-
Why? "I didn’t view him as a first-round tackle and his development may take some time."
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
WALTER FOOTBALL
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: B+
Why? "Olave fills a huge need and is one of the better players available, so I like this pick. I'm not a huge fan of the trade, but it had to be done."
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: A-
Why? "Penning is a nice pick for the Saints, who desperately needed to replace the departed Terron Armstead."
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
CBS SPORTS (Pete Prisco)
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: C+
Why? "Giving up all that arsenal to get Olave is risky if you ask me. ... Jameis Winston will be happy, but I don't love this. The Saints must."
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: B-
Why? "This fills a need for the Saints. They had to get a left tackle and Penning fits the bill."
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
DRAFTKINGS (Chet Gresham)
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: A
Why? "Olave could be the best receiver in this class."
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: A
Why? "The Saints moved up to get a receiver in Olave and now they grab the fourth-best lineman in the draft to help protect the man throwing him the ball."
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
PRO FOOTBALL NETWORK (Ryan Gosling)
Pick 11: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Grade: B-
Why? "New Orleans sent pick Nos. 16, 98, and 120 to Washington in exchange for No. 11. They doubled down on the shock by using that selection to draft Ohio State WR Chris Olave."
Pick 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Grade: A
Why? "A big, mauling tackle with a mean attitude, Penning gives the Saints a blindside protector for Winston and a road-grader for their rushing attack"
SEE THE FULL POST
━━
NFL DOT COM (Chad Reuter)
Picks: 11. Chris Olave; 19. Trevor Penning
Round 1 grade: C
Why: "Giving up two mid-round picks to move up five spots for Olave, in addition to trading future capital to the Eagles to select two non-quarterbacks on Thursday, was not an ideal use of resources."
SEE THE FULL POST