The New Orleans Saints will have a variety of options to infuse talent into their roster throughout the NFL draft, and their young QB Tyler Shough is eager to keep building the culture under second-year head coach Kellen Moore.
Brought to you by TRANESOUTH: It's hard to stop a TraneSpeaking from the Zurich Classic this week, Shough said he'll be watching the draft break down like everyone else: Eagerly anticipating who will next be joining the black and gold. Saints players have begun reporting in recent days for the start of the offseason workout program.
"I’ve been here the whole time and seeing all the guys come in and just the excitement around it," Shough said. "Also we’re fired up to be back and the guys that we have in the building are looking really good. My job is to keep getting better and whenever we get the new rookies in is to get everyone up to speed and roll.”
One position that many analysts point to as a likely draft investment is wide receiver, where the Saints will have intriguing names to consider at both picks No. 8 and 42. If the Saints choose to address the position early the name could be Carnell Tate. The former Ohio State standout named Shough earlier this offseason as a player he'd be intrigued to join at the NFL level. The Saints also have an extended track record of drafting former Buckeyes receivers, including current star Chris Olave.
“I feel like we haven’t been able to show everything that we’ve been able to do or want to do, and obviously to get some of that recognition from some of those guys that are obviously really good players, elite level talents. It’s an honor," Shough said, "but knowing that we have so much more and I know I have so much more to grow. So obviously I want to keep doing everything I can and to get some of those guys would be really good.”
If the Saints decide to wait until 42, another potential addition for be former Louisville standout Chris Bell, who is coming off of an ACL tear. Bell and Shough were teammates with the Cardinals and the QB said he has shared whatever "inside information" he has with the team. Shough also noted that he's confident in the core group within the building and that they've been holding regular throwing sessions throughout the offseason. That includes Olave as well as Devaughn Vele, acquired last preseason in a trade with the Broncos, as well as Ja'Lynn Polk, a former second-round pick of the Patriots who spent the year on IR.
It'd likely depend on the board, but the Saints could also potentially add star RB Jeremiyah Love or a standout defensive piece like Ohio State safety Caleb Downs if they fell to No. 8.
"Whoever we get ... I trust all the front office and the coaching staff," Shough said, "because I think to this point they have a plan about what we’re trying to get done.”
