Tag: Michigan

The New Orleans Saints have gotten off to a hot start in 2024, but we added even more firepower to their offense in this 2025 mock draft.

We used the PFF mock draft simulator and the 2025 draft order determined according to Tankathon (which had the Saints picking at No. 28 overall). And given the options available when the computer put us on the clock, we decided that Michigan tight end Colston Loveland could be a major upgrade.

A tight end could be in the cards for next year’s draft. The Saints would have seriously considered taking former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers had he made it to their pick this year, but they have to be pleased with what Taliese Fuaga has done for them instead.

Let’s take stock of the position. Foster Moreau is a good player but he has some limitations as a receiver. Juwan Johnson has been in and out of the doghouse with the coaching staff and he missed the offseason with a foot injury, which led to a reduced role in Klint Kubiak’s offense. He’s also going to be a free agent in 2025. Dallin Holker is an unproven rookie, and Taysom Hill splits too much time elsewhere to really be considered a tight end.

Which brings us to Loveland. He’s one of the youngest players eligible for the Class of 2025 (he’ll turn 21 a few weeks before the draft) but he’s already played a lot of snaps at a blueblood program. Loveland has run almost as many routes (527) as blocks he’s thrown (546) for the Wolverines, but he’s regarded as a high-upside receiver first and foremost. It’s important for the Saints’ tight ends to block well but so long as he’s willing to improve, they can work with him. It’s worth mentioning that Loveland is currently dealing with a minor injury but it isn’t believed to be a long-term concern.

And there aren’t many guys his size who move as smoothly as he does. Loveland is listed at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds but he’s already caught 80 passes for 1,071 yards in a run-first offense. He’s got nimble feet (averaging a solid 5.4 yards after the catch per reception) and good play strength on contested catches (having won 9 of his 17 targets, per Pro Football Focus charting). He’s the consensus TE1 in this upcoming draft class for good reasons.

So the Saints could have a need at tight end, and he could be available. Derek Carr is playing well enough to keep them from looking at early-round quarterbacks next year. The offensive line is always possibility, especially at left guard, and there’s also a chance they could draft a running back given Alvin Kamara’s contract situation; Boise State stud Ashton Jeanty was someone on our radar in this mock draft but he didn’t make it to the end of Round 1.

We also can’t rule out defensive end (if Chase Young doesn’t re-sign) or cornerback (should Paulson Adebo or Marshon Lattimore leave the team). Safety is a possibility, too, considering Tyrann Mathieu’s age. There’s a lot to like about the Saints’ 2-0 start. That doesn’t mean they can’t improve. They’ll have work to do in the offseason like everyone else and it’s worth taking time to explore draft scenarios like this to get an idea of how they could get better in the spring.

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