Mock drafts are expanding to the second, third, and fourth rounds as we approach the 2024 event, which is good news for New Orleans Saints fans — with so few picks in the early rounds, they need all the information they can get on which players might be available when their team is on the clock. Right now, the Saints own picks in the first and second rounds at Nos. 14 and 45 overall.
And we’ve got two mock drafts covering each of them. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter published a four-round projection, following up a three-round mock from Trevor Sikkema at Pro Football Focus. Here’s who they each picked for the Saints:
Round 1, Pick 14 (Chad Reuter): Olumuyiwa Fashanu, LT, Penn State
Nov 4, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) stands on the sidelines during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Reuter’s take: “Trevor Penning struggled at left tackle in 2023, but the former first-round pick could potentially move inside if the Saints like Fashanu’s potential. Ryan Ramczyk’s NFL future is uncertain due to his lingering knee issues, which could spawn either Penning or Fashanu making the tough transition to the right side.”
Fashanu has been a popular pick for the Saints as a replacement for Penning, and it would make a lot of sense for the Saints to pick him, even if his arrival displaces Penning. Whether he’s moved inside to guard or over to the right tackle spot as Ryan Ramczyk’s possible successor, Fashanu is talented enough to make moving Penning worthwhile.
Round 1, Pick 14 (Trevor Sikkema): Olumuyiwa Fashanu, LT, Penn State
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 23: Olumuyiwa Fashanu #74 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after an offensive touchdown during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium on September 23, 2023 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Sikkema’s take: “Fashanu brings some concerns about how he deals with power, but he’s a fantastic athlete and a great pass protector who can still develop that power as a young player. The Saints can’t just roll into next season under the assumption that Trevor Penning will get substantially better.”
We said Fashanu was popular. The unusual depth at offensive tackle has pushed him down the board in some media rankings; he’d be a top-10 lock in any other year, but there’s a chance he slips to the Saints at No. 14. And if he’s available they should draft him. Penning’s slow development at left tackle almost demands it.
Round 2, Pick 45 (Chad Reuter): Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) makes a catch and runs for touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
The Saints should be looking for more help at receiver, and McConkey is one of the few athletes who can match Chris Olave in stride. He didn’t have the receiving production (averaging about 3.1 receptions and 43.3 receiving yards per game) you look for in college but there are few receivers who separate and move as easily as McConkey does. He should be a much better pro than college player.
Round 2, Pick 45 (Chad Reuter): Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
Nov 11, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) looks on during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson has done everything right in the pre-draft process. He competed hard at the Senior Bowl, he wowed pro personnel at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he’s bringing solid tape with him while lining up both out on the edge and inside at defensive tackle. His pedestrian agility numbers and production (13 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in 43 games) may keep him from being drafted earlier, but like McConkey he also figures to be a better pro than college athlete.
