Sean Payton says Saints planned to draft Patrick Mahomes
Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said Monday that he intended to draft Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes with the 11th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Kansas City, however, spoiled those plans by taking Mahomes with the No. 10 pick.
Speaking on Fox Sports' "The Herd With Colin Cowherd," Payton said that after he left his visit with Mahomes before the draft, he told members of his New Orleans staff that Mahomes was the Saints next quarterback.
With the 11th pick, the Saints selected Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who became NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a four-time Pro Bowler. New Orleans continued at QB with Drew Brees, a future Hall of Famer who retired after the 2020 season.
Mahomes has become a generational player and, according to Payton, the NFL's best QB.
"He was the best I ever evaluated coming out of college," Payton said. "And there's a gap before the next one. So, he's that good."
In a Week 1 win over the Cardinals, Mahomes threw for five touchdowns and completed 30 of 39 passes.
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