Round 1, Pick 14 Mock Draft 2.0: Brock Bowers – TE / Georgia

Bowers was one of the most dominant forces in college football the last three seasons. Bowers is a three-time All-American and the only two-time winner of the John Mackey Award for college football’s best TE. He would be an instant starter and an instant contributor and the best TE the New Orleans Saints have had since Jimmy Graham. Despite need on the offensive line, if you have a chance to get a player with upside as great as Bowers at pick 14 at another position of need you would be a fool to pass up on it.

Round 2, Pick 45: Zach Frazier – OL / West Virginia

Frazier is a three-year starter at center for the Mountaineers who has only allowed one sack over the last two seasons. He has the ability to kick over to Guard where he will likely be needed to fill the revolving door the Saints have had at that spot. He was easily the best offensive lineman left on the board at this point, and despite not being a tackle he can complete the Saints interior offensive line and provide depth at Center at the same time.

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Round 5, Pick 150: Mekhi Wingo – DT / LSU

Wingo was the anchor of the Tiger’s defense the last two years, sacking opposing QBs 7.5 times in 22 games including 4.5 times in just 8 games last season. Wingo is a bit undersized at 284 pounds, but his work ethic and character are unquestioned. He is the kind of player that will outwork the next guy, evidenced by the fact that he was awarded the #18 before the season and managed to return from what was thought to be a season ending injury last year in time to play in LSU’s bowl game. Wingo is a player that could blossom in year 2 or 3 once he gets fully healthy and has time to absorb as much experience as possible.

Round 5, Pick 168: Javon Foster – OT / Missouri

Foster is a two-time All-SEC tackle for Missouri who has been their starting left tackle the last three years. A depth pick with upside given his experience and success in college football, Foster would likely compete for the backup left tackle spot with the potential to be the Saints swing tackle.

Round 5, Pick 170: Nehemiah Pritchett – CB / Auburn

Another 3+ year starter in the SEC, Pritchett ran the fourth fastest 40-yard dash among CBs at the combine this year. His size and speed make him a good press corner. He is a project who won’t see the field much in the first year or two, but he has the physical tools to become a good player down the road.

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Mock Draft 2.0: Round 5, Pick 175: Jordan Travis – QB / FSU

No injury was more impactful last year than the one suffered by Jordan Travis, as the leg injury sustained by the Noles quarterback led to their controversial omittance from the College Football Playoff despite an undefeated record. That combined with the fact that the Noles struggled with two mediocre teams and were blown out 63-3 by Georgia without Travis should tell you how much he carried FSU last season. Travis has first round talent but is expected to fall in the draft this year due to the injury. If the Saints can grab him late in the draft they absolutely should, as his upside is monumental given where he may be selected. The Saints would not need him to play for multiple seasons, so he would have plenty of time to heal and learn before he is ever called upon to play, and when he is, his latent talent level could lead to him being a pretty big steal if all goes right.

Round 6, Pick 190: Sione Vaki – S / Utah

Vaki is a heavy hitter at safety who actually played some running back for the Utes in 2023. The Saints would not ask him to play both sides of the ball as he did in college but given his willingness to do anything to get on the field he will likely stick around for a while in any locker room he is drafted to.

Round 6, Pick 199: Ainias Smith – WR / Texas A&M

Smith bounced back well for the Aggies in 2023, having a career year after playing just four games in 2022. He is a slot receiver who is a very good route runner and is elusive in the open field. His addition would provide another weapon opposite Chris Olave who could take the load on gadget and underneath plays and free up Olave to run more routes down the field.

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Round 7, Pick 239 Mock Draft 2.0: Cody Schrader – RB / Missouri

No running back had a better statistical season in the SEC last year than Missouri’s Schrader. Rushing for 1,600+ yards and averaging 168 yards per game over the last 5 games of the season, Schrader was the catalyst for the best Missouri team in a decade last year. He is a volume runner who would be one of the guys competing for the RB2-3 slot this year but given his success against tough competition in college such as Georgia, Tennessee, and Ohio State last year he should be up to the challenge.