Two of the New Orleans Saints’ top decision-makers will be getting a good look at some of the best prospects in the 2023 NFL draft this week. Nola.com’s Jeff Duncan reports that head coach Dennis Allen and college scouting director Jeff Ireland are planning to attend the pro days for Ohio State (on Wednesday, March 22) and Alabama (on Thursday, March 23) with dozens of draft-eligible players in attendance. Expect multiple position coaches and area scouts to accompany them so they can get eyes on as many prospects as possible. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer adds that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis will also be in Columbus for Ohio State’s pro day.
Are the Saints tipping their hand by sending Allen and Ireland to these big-name pro day workouts? Maybe, maybe not. They were both in attendance for Ohio State’s pro day last year (along with wide receivers coach Kodi Burns) to scout Chris Olave and his teammates, and liked what they saw so much they were moved to trade up for Olave in the first round of the 2022 draft. That doesn’t necessarily mean history will repeat itself, but it’s still interesting to see which school pro days the Saints are prioritizing.
Here the top draft-eligible prospects from both Ohio State and Alabama: