We take our selections from two rounds to five in the second edition of the Saints Discussions on Strike 7 Sports mock draft series. New Orleans does not have a third or fourth-round pick, but they have four selections in the fifth round. In today’s mock draft, we project what the Saints may do with those selections.
Brock Bowers: TE, Georgia (14)
Last summer, it was nearly impossible for the Saints to have an opportunity to select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in this year’s NFL Draft. Fast forward to March 2024, and the Saints are within reach of choosing the highly coveted tight end. In today’s version of the Saints mock draft, we envision that other teams decided to address other pressing needs for their roster; they decided to pass on the former Georgia standout.
Adding Bowers to the Saints’ offense gives Derek Carr another dependable option in the passing game to attack an opposing defense. He is listed at 6’4, 240 pounds, and he can line up in the slot, play on the outside, and excel at his traditional tight-end role. His presence on the field would give the New Orleans offense a weapon they have not had since the prime years of Jimmy Graham’s career.
Patrick Paul: OT, Houston (45)
Photo courtesy of the University of Houston Athletics.
Recent reports indicate that former first-round pick Trevor Penning is getting a second chance at proving himself with the guidance of new offensive line coach John Benton. However, New Orleans should continue to invest in the future of the offensive tackle position. Penning may be a bust at this career stage, and having a solid backup plan is better. With the 45th pick in the second round, the Saints select Houston tackle Patrick Paul. During his time with the Cougars, Paul was a first-team All-AAC and All-Big 12 talent in his only year playing in a Power Five conference.
Cornelius Johnson: WR, Michigan (150)
Michigan Athletics
There’s yet to be a word on how the Saints will address the void left behind by veteran wide receiver Michael Thomas. The 2019 NFL Offensive Player of the Year winner is now an unrestricted free agent. There are available free agents such as Hunter Renfrow that the Saints may have interest in, but if not, this is where the selection of Michigan’s Cornelius Johnson comes into play. Johnson is 6’3, 208 pounds, and has been recognized as a size/speed threat. Like Thomas, he’s not a burner but has a knack for locating the football and becoming successful. His numbers with the Wolverines aren’t the flashiest, but that should be expected when a skilled player operates under a Jim Harbaugh-influenced scheme. He posted career highs in catches (60) and yards (627) in 2021.
Austin Reed: QB, Western Kentucky (168)
Last Friday, the team announced they had signed journeyman signal caller Nathan Peterman to a one-year deal. However, the signing will allow them a more proactive approach to backfilling the position. With the 168th selection, New Orleans added more depth to their quarterback room by selecting Western Kentucky’s Austin Reed. At 6’2″ and 220 pounds, Reed has a little of everything on the operational side.
He’s a solid pocket navigator and an efficient distributor with RAC-friendly placement. He has the necessary velocity, anticipation, and risk propensity to throw the football into tight intermediate windows or trigger on 1-on-1 opportunities downfield. If Haener wins the QB2 role, Peterman may be gone by training camp; this transaction could open the opportunity for Reed to become the Saints’ third-string QB.
Keith Randolph: DT, Illinois (170)
Illinois Athletics
Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach reunited with former head coach Sean Payton when he signed a one-year deal to join the Denver Broncos. The departure leaves a void to fill at the defensive tackle position. Illinois’s Keith Randolph Jr. fits the Saints prototype of what they seek in a defensive lineman. Randolph is listed at 6’5, 300 pounds, and can defend the run and be utilized if needed to sack the quarterback. He will join a rotation featuring players such as Bryan Breese, Khalen Saunders, and Nathan Shepherd.
Cedric Johnson: EDGE, Ole Miss (175)
The Saints took the high-risk versus high-reward approach when they signed free agent pass rusher Chase Young on Monday. Despite knowing Young needed a medical procedure on his neck, the Saints signed the former Buckeye to a one-year, $13 million contract. If the situation looks dire, it would behoove the Saints to add more depth to their defensive line. They use their last pick in the fifth round on Ole Miss edge rusher Cedric Johnson. The expectation is that Young will be ready by the start of the season, but the Saints should have a solid contingency plan if he’s not up to speed by Week 1.
