The New Orleans Saints should address their offensive needs early in the 2024 NFL Draft. They’ve gained significant defensive depth through free agency, but there has been little movement on the offensive side of the ball since the end of the 2023 season.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN’s draft guru, issued a fresh mock draft Wednesday morning. Derek Carr, the quarterback, would be delighted with their picks.
In the first round of Kiper’s mock draft, the Saints selected Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu.
Fashanu has been the most popular first-round choice in New Orleans for more than a month. Offensive tackle is their most pressing need on the squad, and Fashanu is a top-15 prospect in the class.
This is a partnership I’ve predicted for the previous two months, and the Saints should be concerned about 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning’s performance in his first two seasons. Penning has not proven to be an NFL-caliber left tackle. Fashanu, on the other side, possesses elite qualities in a 6-6 body. He surrendered only one sack in nearly 700 pass-blocking plays during his college career. – Kiper Jr., ESPN
The match makes the most sense. Ryan Ramczyk’s future is uncertain due to a knee injury, and Andrus Peat has not been re-signed during free agency. In 2024, New Orleans should not rely on James Hurst or Trevor Penning to start at OT.
In the second round, the Saints selected Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley.
With Michael Thomas gone, the Saints’ wide receiver depth chart appears sparse beyond Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. With Corley, they may find a productive playmaker who thrives after the catch. He is a tackle-breaking machine. Corley topped the FBS in receptions with 253 since the start of the 2021 season, with 29 touchdowns during that period. – Kiper Jr., ESPN
Corley is a willing run blocker and a formidable tackler when the ball is in his hands. He appears to be the strong-handed receiver that the Saints are still looking for on their roster.
Corley would be the ideal complement to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, forming a dynamic, young trio of receivers for the Saints.
Both options would be ideal for New Orleans. Derek Carr would be thrilled to acquire help on his offensive line and pass catching room in the first two rounds of this year’s draft.
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