New Orleans Saints Mock Draft: Rebuilding The Offensive Line After A Disappointing Year, And A Top-100 Trade Up

Adding competition along the offensive line is a top priority for the New Orleans Saints in this year’s NFL Draft. One that may lead to that spending a top-16 selection on a tackle or versatile player that would maximize their ability to get their best starting five out on the field to start the 2024 season. While New Orleans only surrendered 34 sacks and 118 pressures (among the fewest in the NFL) it felt like those falters came at all the wrong times with many sacks and pressures coming on third downs or in important moments. Beyond that, the team’s No. 21 ranked rushing offense was nothing short of disappointing compared to the team’s initial expectations.

With a wide zone offense incoming thanks to new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, the run game will be a large emphasis. In order to make good on the promise of this system, athleticism and precision are needed along the offensive line. With more outside and stretch runs set to be incorporated, finding the right combination on the line of scrimmage will be imperative. 

The Saints have invested heavily in their offensive line for several years, but the lifecycle of some of those draft classes is now at its downturn. 2015 first-round lineman Andrus Peat is now a free agent, 2017 first-round tackle Ryan Ramczyk has major questions circulating the future of his playing career and 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning has not taken off the way the franchise expected. At least not yet. New Orleans now has to safeguard itself from further declines in its protection and this 2024 crop of offensive linemen is the perfect pathway.

Round 1, Pick 14 - Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

The Washington Huskies offensive tackle is a versatile and athletic piece that would be the perfect solution to the Saints’ biggest question. He has the ability to play tackle on either side, and despite his 6-foot-3 stature, his 34.5-inch arms make him a viable starter at the position. His movement ability is unmatched in this class and even his chances of making it as a starter not he interior should be of interest to New Orleans. He is the perfect piece to add to your wide zone line.

The new system may actually end up benefiting Penning who is a relentless and powerful run blocker. He would also be aided but he quick-throw passing game that comes along with new quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko. Even in the instance in which Penning takes major steps forward in a more supportive offensive system to his skills set, Fautanu would be a clear starter at either left guard, which was vacated in the departure of Peat, or right tackle if Ramczyk cannot start the season. Then veteran offensive lineman James Hurst can file in where necessary.

Fautanu is one of several home run selections available to New Orleans at pick No. 14.

Round 2, Pick 45 - Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State

The Nittany Lion pass rusher that does not get the shine he deserves. Of course, Chop Robinson is the defensive end from this school that will receive a ton of attention; and rightfully so. However Isaac should not be forgotten in the process. The 6-foot-4, 247 pound edge rusher will certainly need to add some pounds to his frame. But his athleticism and ability against the run are more than enough to make a team be willing to roll that dice. 

In addition to his 31.5 career tackles for a loss, Isaac also added in 14.5 sacks, 7.5 of which were in his final season with Penn State. He impressed at the NFL scouting combine with a 4.74 40-yard dash and showed off his explosiveness with a 34.5-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot-3 broad jump.  The Saints have invested in their defensive line already this offseason signing free agent pass rusher Chase Young, but that should not keep them from introducing more talent and competition to the position.

TRADE UP: Saints send picks 170, 175, 190 and a 2025 third-round pick (50 points on the Rich Hill Trade value chart) to the Seattle Seahawks for pick No. 81 and a 2025 six-round selection (57 points).

Round 3, Pick 81 - Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky

With the overwhelming consensus of this year’s draft Day 3 being often referred to as “early undrafted free agency” the Saints can spare some of their four fifth-round selections to move up and get another top-100 prospect. This move is to go and grab one wide receiver that could be a perfect fit for what the Saints need in their revamped offense. Corley is commonly seen as a Deebo Samuel-esque player. While he may not rise to the level of success of Samuel, (such expectations would be unfair for a rookie) he can fill a similar role in Kubiak’s offense.

With just one year under his belt with the San Francisco 49ers, it is conceivable the Saints’ new offensive play caller stowed away some tricks and surprises. One of which that would be hard to miss is the aggressive and versatile nature of a Samuel. Getting that style of player in your gameplan should be tough to pass up. The Western Kentucky wideout stands at 5-foot-11 and boasts great size at 215 pounds. He has one of the top yards after catch per reception numbers in the class (9.7 yards) and has generated the highest missed tackles forced rate (39.6%). That is exactly the type of receiver the Saints need, someone that can generate yards after catch after a quick pass and line up anywhere on the field.

New Orleans could use another X-receiver as well after the departure of wideout Michael Thomas. Second-year receiver A.T. Perry could get first crack at that role along with veteran Cedrick Wilson Jr., though his most successful production came from the slot. If not an X-receiver though, a yards after catch guy would go a long way in the team’s new offense. For that matter, they both would. So doubling up at the position should not be ruled out.

Round 5, Pick 150 - Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

One of the top tight ends in this year’s class is considered a Day 3 pick. At least for now. Johnson brings his willingness as a blocker and his pass-catching ability to the league in the hopes of actually being utilized. While Penn State relied on his 6-foot-6, 250-plus pound frame more and more throughout his collegiate career, he was still underutilized. His career stat line of 77 catches for 938 receiving yards and 12 touchdown receptions looks like a fantastic season for a top NFL wideout. But that was collected over over a four-year period.

Getting into the pros should present the tight end more opportunities to see his game grow as a pass-catcher. Something the Saints would love in their offense as well. Tight ends typically take a year or two to transition from college to the NFL, but he would have a comfortable timeline to do so with veterans Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau ahead of him.

Round 5, Pick 168 - Javon Foster, OL, Missouri

In the event that Fautanu takes over an interior role, having more depth on the end of the offensive line is a wise move for the Saints. Even if Penning comes along for 2024, which would be a great sign, the question marks around Ramczyk will not subside even if he is healthy to start the 2024 season. Those questions will simply follow him into 2025 and beyond. Along with the addition of veteran free agent Oli Udoh and the return of Landon Young, New Orleans could use another young tackle to help sure things up going into off-season programs.

Round 6, Pick 199 - Joshua Cephus, WR, Texas, San Antonio

Told you that doubling up at wideout should not be ruled out for the Saints. This 6-foot-2 Roadrunner from UTSA has an impressive game. Adding some weight to land at 192 during his pre-draft process should help him out quite a bit. He is a fluid route-runner that sells with his subtleness and can create space in the red zone on short routes.

Despite what his 4.58 40-yard dash may have many believing, he also has excellent breakaway speed in the open field and rarely ever gets caught from behind. The big element he will have to prove at the next level is whether or not he can do the damage he did in college from the slot, on the outside in the pros. Special teams contribution will also fall under a microscope when it comes to landing a spot with a club.

Round 7, Pick 239 - Evan Anderson, DT, Florida Atlantic

It is not often you can find a talent in the final round of the NFL Draft that can immediately jump into your defensive line rotation. Anderson however, is that kind of player. With 20 tackles for a loss and 7 career sacks from the interior at Florida Atlantic, he has proven to be a disruptive player. More importantly, his size at 6-foot-1 and 320 pounds would give the Saints a formidable run stuffer in the middle of their defensive line. Anderson would give New Orleans the type of player they lost years ago in defensive tackle Malcom Brown, who entered the NFL at 6-foot-2 and 319 pounds of out Texas. This pick helps to fill out the last remaining piece of the team’s defensive trenches going into camp.