NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Round 1 (No. 11 overall, from Commanders) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State: The Saints make their second move up the board in April following an earlier deal with the Eagles. This seems to feed the notion New Orleans is collecting players to compete in the NFC now rather than finding a long-term successor for retired QB Drew Brees. Olave’s speed and smooth route running could eventually make him a clear-cut No. 1 target, not to mention his ability to find the end zone. But in the near term, he’d be a dangerous complement to fellow former Buckeyes WR Michael Thomas and RB Alvin Kamara.
Round 1 (19, from Eagles) – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa: A talented, nasty player for the blind side, he’ll remind Saints fans of Kyle Turley and hopefully help them forget about departed LT Terron Armstead. The 6-7, 325pound Penning comes with a play-tothe-whistle mentality evident at the Senior Bowl, where Penning ruffled some feathers. But QB Jameis Winston and teammates should love him ... assuming Penning makes a smooth transition from the FCS level.
Round 2 (49) – Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee: The Saints fortify their pass defense, and Taylor could vie for a starting job opposite Marshon Lattimore. Taylor only surrendered one TD pass over the past two seasons for the Vols.
Round 5 (161) – D’Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State
Round 6 (194, from Colts through Eagles) – Jordan Jackson, DT, Air Force
Grade: B
In a post-Brees, post-Sean Payton world, you have to admire their chutzpah, going all-in to stock this depth chart while sacrificing a 2023 first-rounder and 2024 second-rounder to Philadelphia. GM Mickey Loomis targeted two premier positions in Round 1, getting Penning to replace departed Armstead after drafting Olave – who just might have the goods to take this offense to another level. Maybe this draft doesn’t end up aging well ... or maybe it positions the Saints to reclaim the NFC South crown they wore for so long.