There isn’t a question about the most pressing need for the New Orleans Saints in the 2022 NFL draft: it’s wide receiver. There are lesser needs at quarterback and left tackle, sure, but a rookie passer isn’t unseating Jameis Winston and James Hurst has shown he can hold down the left side of the line. Maybe the Saints go looking for a safety early on to replace Marcus Williams, but they should be able to wait and address that later.
Whether Michael Thomas returns to form or not, he could use a stronger supporting cast, and the Saints aren’t doing young players like Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harty any favors by asking them to compete with the best cover corners in the NFL each week. Making some upgrades to the depth chart has to be a major priority, and the Saints have done a good job preparing for it by trading with the Philadelphia Eagles for another first round pick.
But which prospects could they be targeting? There will be options in every round of this year’s draft, and it’s good to have an idea of which players could be available once New Orleans is on the clock. So here’s your round-by-round preview of the 2022 wide receivers class: