The New Orleans Saints are back in the first round of the upcoming 2023 NFL draft, after agreeing to let Sean Payton out of his contract to coach the Denver Broncos.
It's not an early pick -- Denver traded their 2023 first rounder, but they had San Francisco's, and that's what they traded to New Orleans. San Fran made it as far as the NFC Championship, so which players on the board at #29 could end up in Black & Gold?
Ross Jackson, host of the Locked on Saints podcast says there might be an SEC quarterback available.
"Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker. SEC talent, had two incredible years in Tennessee," said Jackson, although there are questions about his health. "Are his medicals going to check out?"
If they do, Jackson says that could mean a quarterback on a cost-effective rookie contract, and a chance for the Saints to develop a QB from day one.
The Saints have also been known to use their first rounders on players who toil in the trenches.
"Florida's O'Cyrus Torrence, who's here in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, so we're going to get a good look at him," said Jackson. "Baylor's Siaki Ika, who's a big, disruptive defensive tackle, that's a spot where the Saints need a lot of help."
Or you could get another of Saints GM Mickey Loomis' wild cards:
"They could actually take that first round pick and potentially trade it for a quarterback," Jackson speculates "like a Derek Carr, like Justin Fields, if the Bears decide to come off him and invest, with that number one overall pick, in a Bryce Young."
We'll find out April 27.