Saints beef up defensive line, add wide receiver talent in latest A to Z Sports mock drafts
The New Orleans Saints roster will look a bit different by the time the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around. That being said, mock drafts have had them go in a couple different direction so far. Often, their early picks have either been at edge rusher or offensive tackle. The latest mock drafts from A to […]
The New Orleans Saints roster will look a bit different by the time the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around. That being said, mock drafts have had them go in a couple different direction so far. Often, their early picks have either been at edge rusher or offensive tackle.
The latest mock drafts from A to Z Sports bucked that trend. Travis May put out his first mock of the offseason, a one-rounder. Destin Adams created a two-round mock.
In May's mock draft, the Saints selected interior defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton from Illinois.
Jer'Zhan Newton had a better 2022 showing, pressuring quarterbacks better than most elite edge rushers, but even when teams honed in on him last season he still performed well. Best defensive line prospect in the class even if he's a bit undersized. — Travis May, A to Z Sports
The selection makes plenty of sense for New Orleans. Khalen Saunders was their best player on the interior a season ago, but his production did not stand out. Rookie Bryan Bresee played well in less snaps, but his rawness showed. He's not the run stopper that Newton is coming out of college ball.
DL, as a whole, was a weakness for New Orleans, and Newton could be a force in the middle for them if he is the pick.
For May's entire mock draft, click here.
On the flip-side, Destin Adams gave them two talented players in his scenario.
In the first round, the Saints took IDL Byron Murphy II from Texas. In the second round, they snagged South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette.
Murphy is an explosive athlete on the inside of the DL. He would step into an immediate impact role with the Saints. Adding another early-round IDL may frustrate some fans, but you win in the trenches in the NFL. A combo of Murphy and Bresee would terrify opponents for years to come.
As for Legette, he is a bit of a projection. He is an older WR prospect, but the tools are legit. He's a great mover with the ball in his hands and can make contested catches consistently at his size. The Saints will most likely need a notable wide receiver in the draft or free agency due to the potential departure of veteran Michael Thomas.
For Adams' full mock draft, click here.
All in all, all three selections from the mocks make sense, even if they are unique to many of the picks in recent mock drafts for the Saints.
Saints’ new coach could help them add a unique wide receiver
Would bring some value.
