The New Orleans Saints need to attack their offensive needs early in the 2024 NFL Draft. They've added notable defensive depth in free agency, but there's been very little movement on their offensive side of the ball since the conclusion of their 2023 season.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. released a new mock draft on Wednesday morning. QB Derek Carr would be ecstatic about their choices in it.
In round one of Kiper's mock draft, the Saints selected Penn State OT Olu Fashanu.
Fashanu has been the most popular first-round pick for New Orleans for over a month. Offensive tackle is their biggest need on the roster, and Fashanu is a top 15 prospect in the class.
This is a pairing I've projected for the past two months, as the Saints should be concerned with 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning's play over his first two seasons. Penning hasn't proved to be an NFL-level left tackle. Fashanu, on the other hand, has high-end traits in a 6-6 frame. He allowed just one sack in almost 700 pass-blocking plays in his college career. -- Kiper Jr., ESPN
The match makes the most sense. Ryan Ramczyk's future is cloudy due to his knee injury, and Andrus Peat has not been brought back during free agency. New Orleans should not rely on James Hurst or Trevor Penning as a starter at OT in 2024.
In round two, the Saints selected Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley.
With Michael Thomas gone, the Saints' wide receiver depth chart suddenly looks thin outside of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. With Corley, they could find a productive playmaker who thrives after the catch. He's a tackle-breaking machine. Corley led the FBS with 253 receptions since the start of the 2021 season, and he had 29 scores over that time frame. -- Kiper Jr., ESPN
Corley is a willing run blocker and impressive tackle-breaker with the ball in his hands. He profiles as the strong-handed receiver that the Saints need to add to their roster still.
Behind Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, Corley would be the perfect complement to form a dynamic, young trio of receivers for the Saints.
Both picks would be awesome for New Orleans. Derek Carr would be quite excited to get help on his OL and pass catching room during the first two rounds of this year's draft.
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