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Yeah, when your team botches an 11-point fourth quarter lead against the lowly New York Giants on Sunday this is the headline you get the following Monday. It’s far too soon to start seriously evaluating 2022 NFL draft prospects and building New Orleans Saints mock drafts, but it is worth keeping an eye on what the future may hold. The post-Drew Brees era is full of uncertainty.
Right now, Tankathon projects the Saints to make their pick at No. 15 overall. They last picked here in 2013, selecting safety Kenny Vaccaro. Oddly, that’s the only time in team history the Saints have drafted from that slot.
New Orleans is also one of seven 2-2 teams (the 2-1 Los Angeles Chargers play on Monday night), and they’re one of four to own their first-round pick in 2022. That includes the 49ers pick at No. 13 (conveying to the Dolphins), the Seahawks pick at No. 14 (belonging to the Jets), and the Bears pick at No. 16 (going to the Giants). So if the Saints do finish at a mediocre 8-9 or 9-8, at least they’ll have their own draft pick to work with in the spring.
As for who Tankathon simulates the Saints to pick next year? That would be Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave, who has been linked to New Orleans in a number of mock drafts. The 6-foot-flat, 193-pound speedster has already caught five touchdown passes in his first four games while averaging 16.3 yards per reception. He’s totaled 133 catches for 2,140 receiving yards with 27 touchdowns scored in 31 games with the Buckeyes. Olave would be a big boost for a Saints offense that currently ranks second-to-last in passing yards (576) through four games.
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