Saints should trade up with their second pick to make sure they get their new version of Michael Thomas in 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft will be vital for Kellen Moore's future with the New Orleans Saints. His offense needs an influx of young talent, but the defense could use some new pieces as well. Adding talent at the wide receiver will be a necessary task for the Saints' coaching staff and front office. Emeka Egbuka's […]
The 2025 NFL Draft will be vital for Kellen Moore's future with the New Orleans Saints. His offense needs an influx of young talent, but the defense could use some new pieces as well.
Adding talent at the wide receiver will be a necessary task for the Saints' coaching staff and front office.
Emeka Egbuka's fit with Saints
The Ohio State product could make a ton of sense for the Saints. Egbuka has been one of the top college football receivers in the country over the past few seasons. He's a great athlete, who is smooth in his route running and plays with professional nuance.
The Saints' offense could use another young, impactful weapon early in this year's draft. Egbuka may line up as a player they like, particularly if they can nab him in round two.
Egbuka's success within his specific routes could mimic the sort of role that Michael Thomas played for a long time with New Orleans. Not to mention, both are former Buckeyes that produced at a high level during their college careers.
Thomas was always framed as a major producer off the slant routes in Sean Payton's offense. He won in other ways, but Egbuka's consistent success on in-breaking routes, including the slant, could remind them of Thomas. Comeback routes were a strength for Thomas, too, just like Egbuka.
The aforementioned veteran free agent wideout remains unsigned as of now. We will see if he lands somewhere this offseason. New Orleans recently signed veteran WR Brandin Cooks in a reunion move to add some speed.
The "big slot" WR role has gotten more and more popular across the NFL over the past few years. And if a team is looking to add it to their offense through the draft, Egbuka is likely going to be their top option. Egbuka was projected to hear his name called in the late first to early second range in 2024 but elected to head back to school for one more year. He's been able to stay healthy, which is a big win, but he has seen multiple talented WRs out-produce him this year and, as a result, could jump him on draft day. Egbuka is a smart WR and should be able to carve out a role early in his career. But I think he could end up being taken further down the list of WRs in the 2025 class than many people realize. — Destin Adams
Trade up possibility for New Orleans
For Egbuka, the Saints would have to move up with their second pick, most likely, to get him. He is usually mocked somewhere between the 20th and 35th overall pick. As of now, New Orleans' second-rounder is 40th overall.
It would be incredibly risky for the Saints to sit at forty and hope that the former Buckeye gets to them.
If they do not get an offensive weapon in round one, I think it makes all the sense in the worlds for them to target Egbuka in round two. Plus, the price would probably not be overly expensive to move up just a few or handful of spots to begin day two.
Regardless, the value would be smart for New Orleans' roster. We will see if they have Egbuka on their radar at the end of April.
Deion Sanders potentially reveals a part of the New Orleans Saints’ 2025 draft plan and future at quarterback
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