The 2023 NFL Draft is mere weeks away, and Mike Kashuba’s latest mock draft took a look at what the Saints could do with their first three selections. According to the draft analyst, the team will select offensive tackle Darnell Wright in the first round before addressing the defensive line with Tuli Tuipulotu and Andre Carter on Day 2.
Saints Select Darnell Wright, Two Others In NFL Mock Draft
First Round: Darnell Wright, OT
The Darnell Wright selection is simply a case of grabbing the best player available and not getting too hung up on fit. The New Orleans Saints had a bad offensive line last year, and they haven’t done too much to improve the unit, so adding another tackle into the mix does make sense.
Darnell Wright himself is a fantastic player that should have no issue adjusting to life in the NFL. The Tennessee product can absolutely dominate in the run game, and his short drops in pass protection are a good match for a pocket quarterback like Derek Carr. He should be able to play, the only question is where.
Wright spent the majority of his collegiate tenure at right tackle, but the Saints already have that position filled with Ryan Ramczyk. The left tackle position, meanwhile, is currently occupied by 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning. Injuries took away the majority of Penning’s inaugural campaign, but even when he was on the field, his play left a lot to be desired.
It’s too early for the Saints to completely give up on Penning, but considering the importance of the tackle position, they should add another player to the mix in case Penning really isn’t capable of NFL-caliber play at tackle. With how frequently players get hurt in the NFL, you could easily make the case that every team should have three starting-caliber tackles so that a single injury won’t derail their season.
If this mock draft scenario comes true for the Saints, then look for these two to spend the offseason battling for the starting left tackle job, with the loser moving to guard.
🚨UPDATE: Tennessee star offensive tackle Darnell Wright has had top-30 Visits with the Tennessee #Titans, Washington #Commanders, Buffalo #Bills, New Orleans #Saints, Las Vegas #Raiders, Arizona #Cardinals, Tampa Bay #Buccaneers, Dallas #Cowboys, Green Bay #Packers, Detroit… pic.twitter.com/4KK9VocxiM
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 11, 2023
Tuli Tuipulotu, Andre Carter Round Out Saints Mock Draft
The Saints lost a lot of talent on the defensive line in free agency, so it makes sense that this mock draft has them double-down on the position on Day 2. New Orleans kicks it off with USC’s Tuli Tuipulotu, one of the most productive players in college football. The edge defender led the nation with 13.5 sacks last year, and it’s easy to see how he earned that production.
Tuipulotu is incredibly quick off the snap and has already mastered multiple pass-rushing moves, so he should be able to help out right from Day 1. While he is on the smaller side and will need to prove he can handle run duties, he will be able to get after the quarterback, and that is the most important thing in today’s NFL.
Much like Tuipulotu, Andre Carter dominated his collegiate competition, but a relative lack of athleticism and overall polish will likely prevent him from reaching that same ceiling. Still, he has what it takes to be a situational pass rusher in the short term, and if the coaching staff can iron out his fundamental deficiencies, he could become a solid starter.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
