The New Orleans Saints already have 68 players under contract for the 2020 season, but only 53 of them will be kept around for opening day. Just like we’ve seen in past years, this roster is too deep and talented for every rookie draft pick to stick, so it’s important that the Saints make calculated moves to target players who have a shorter path to contributing than taking scratch-off lottery tickets on a bunch of long shots.
In last week’s seven-round mock draft, we took a more conservative approach and traded back a few times, garnering extra picks to help maneuver the draft board. This time, however, we tried out the mock draft simulator from Pro Football Network, which allows you to trade 2021 draft picks as well as selections in this year’s event.
The Saints are one of the NFL’s most aggressive outfits in the draft, having traded up at some point in each year of Sean Payton’s tenure (except in 2006, during his first days on the job, and in 2012, when he was suspended), and it’s important that we reflect that by having the ability to deal out future picks.
They’re always wheeling and dealing, giving up next year’s draft picks to make immediate upgrades. Fans and analysts may hate the gamble of giving up future assets, but until the NFL draft is abolished altogether or the heat death of the universe (whichever comes first), the Saints won’t have a piper to pay. There will always be future picks to trade.
So with all that said: move on to the next page to find out how we added several impact players in this seven-round mock draft, and which picks are left to work with another day.