PFF’s new mock draft has the Saints landing top offensive tackle prospect.
In the most recent PFF mock draft, New Orleans fills two spots of need.
After Super Bowl 58, we can now focus on the forthcoming NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints have picks 14 and 45 in the first
two rounds. PFF recently released their post-Super Bowl two-round mock draft.
Here’s who the experts at Pro Football Focus predict the Saints will select with their first two picks:
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
This would be a no-brainer decision for the Saints. Fashanu is considered a top-two tackle in this draft, alongside Notre Dame’s
Joe Alt. If not for several highly acclaimed quarterbacks and receivers, he could be a top 5-10 pick.
Fashanu has been Penn State’s starting left tackle for the past two seasons, and he is one of the best in the business at shielding
his quarterback’s blind side. In his two seasons as a starter, he has received top pass blocking grades of 84.7 and 88.4.
The Saints’ tackle situation is really worrisome. Trevor Penning remains a work in progress at left tackle, and who knows when
he’ll be ready to start. Ryan Ramcyzk’s future is also uncertain as he continues to battle injuries.
Adding an offensive tackle early in the draft makes too much sense for the Saints, and if Fashanu is available at 14, they should rush to the podium to select him.
Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama
Dallas Turner is going to be the talk of the town when it comes to Alabama edge rushers in this draft, but Chris Braswell is another very talented edge coming out of Tuscaloosa.
In 2023, Braswell recorded 56 pressures, 33 hurries, 12 stops, and eight sacks, with an 87.9 pass rush grade.
This offseason, the Saints also have a significant need for edge rushers. Payton Turner continues to be prone to injury; Cam
Jordan is regressing (it saddens me to say it, but it’s true), and Isaiah Foskey did not impress in limited action. Outside of Carl
Granderson, the Saints do not have an edge rusher who can come in and apply consistent pressure to the quarterback.
In this mock, Bralen Trice is still on the board at 45, and I think I’d go with Trice over Braswell, but both are excellent players who might assist this squad right away.
Leave a Reply