The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, which means there is time for one last Saints mock draft before the big event. New Orleans once again mortgaged the future in the offseason, meaning they’re not willing to embrace the tank but also don’t have the money to fix their flaws in free agency. This style of team building means that the Saints need to hit just about every last one of their picks if they want to make it to the playoffs for the first time in the post-Drew Brees Era.
Note that this exercise was performed using the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulator. If the player was available when New Orleans was on the clock, they were fair game. Also note that this Saints mock draft does not include trades.
Final New Orleans Saints Seven-Round Mock Draft
First Round (14th Overall) – Olu Fashanu, OT
With glaring needs at both tackle positions and one of the worst quarterbacks in the league at handling pressure under center, the Saints don’t have much of a choice for what to do with their first-round pick in this mock draft. Fortunately, talent and need perfectly align with the Olu Fashanu selection. The Penn State product is polished enough to start right out of the gate and has perennial Pro Bowl potential if he tidies up his mechanics.
Second Round (45th Overall) – Ricky Pearsall, WR
Seeing as New Orleans doesn’t have a pick until the fifth round, they’ll probably look to trade down here. However, since this Saints mock draft does not allow trades, they stay put and select Ricky Pearsall out of Florida. Pearsall plays much bigger than his size, as the NFL Draft hopeful doesn’t shy away from contact and has no fear of going over the middle of the field. Additionally, his shifty presence and ability to beat press make him a natural replacement for Michael Thomas.
Ricky Pearsall NFL Draft Profile
Ricky Pearsall to the Ravens at 62 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/qGqQ3Ss1yC
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) April 20, 2024
Fifth Round (150th Overall) – Malik Mustapha, S
After waiting 105 picks, the Saints are back on the clock and take a safety with the first of their four fifth-round picks in this mock draft. Malik Mustapha plays bigger than his 5′-10″, 209-pound frame would suggest. Assuming his size translates, he’s an ideal box safety who already has the vision required to clog up run lanes and deliver punishing blows. This will free up Tyrann Mathieu to secure the middle of the field and give the Saints a reliable safety duo.
Fifth Round (168th Overall) – Cam Hart, CB
The Saints will have to be patient with this one, but Cam Hart could become the steal of this mock draft. Based on traits alone, Hart has what it takes to start in this league for years to come. However, he won’t come close to hitting his ceiling without some solid coaching and at least a year or two in a reserve role.
Fifth Round (170th Overall) – Javontae Jean-Baptiste, EDGE
New Orleans has a short-term answer at edge defender with Chase Young, but Javontae Jean-Baptiste could be the long-term fix after a year on the bench. The Notre Dame product desperately needs to add some strength, but if he can do that without losing his agile footwork, he could turn into a solid rotational pass rusher. If the fifth round of this mock draft, the Saints are unlikely to find anyone better than that.
Fifth Round (175th Overall) – Javon Foster, OT
The Saints go back to the offensive tackle well in this mock draft and land a player who should have some kind of future in the NFL. Javon Foster has the technical capabilities to play tackle at the collegiate level, but you need to be a great athlete to play the position in the pros. Foster is nothing special in that department, so he might need to switch to guard. Even if that does happen, New Orleans should be happy to find a versatile offensive lineman late in the fifth round.
Sixth Round (190th Overall) – Joe Milton, QB
Derek Carr is the quarterback of the present, but he is not the quarterback of the future. Joe Milton is a remarkably unpolished quarterback prospect, but his ceiling is through the roof. He might just have the strongest arm in the class and he is perhaps the most gifted athlete of all the quarterbacks. The reason he’s still available in the sixth round is because he doesn’t know the nuances of the position. While he probably won’t ever put it all together, he’s worth a gamble in the sixth round.
Sixth Round (199th Overall) – Tip Reiman, TE
Tip Reiman is not going to be a 100-catch tight end and probably won’t make much of an impact in the passing game. What he can do, however, is move blockers like there’s no tomorrow. Reiman is easily the best blocking tight end of the Day 3 prospects and should be a welcome addition for an offensive line that is missing some reliable starters.
Seventh Round (239th Overall) – Fabien Lovett, DI
The Saints wrap up this mock draft with Florida State’s Fabien Lovett. The defensive tackle won’t get after the quarterback too much, but he’s a great space eater who should clog up lanes in the opposing run game. 20 years ago, he’d be a third- or fourth-round pick.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
