The New Orleans Saints now have two first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, making predictions about their plan a bit more complex than before the trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Are they considering a move up for a quarterback? Do they feel a need to target multiple positions with high picks in 2022? How will they attack this draft in Round 1?
New Orleans Saints 2022 NFL Draft predictions
With two draft picks sitting in the teens, the Saints are in a prime position to address needs with premium prospects. However, they need those players to still be available when their picks roll around. Can they pull it off and continue their strong draft history? The 2017 NFL Draft class they put together is one of the best in recent history. Could they replicate that impact five years later?
Prediction 1: Trading up for a left tackle, draft receiver with other pick
Unfortunately, with the way this tackle class sets up, this feels like the only option if the Saints want to address the position in Round 1. According to Grinding the Mocks, Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu, and Charles Cross all have average mock draft positions under 11.5.
Maybe the Saints think of Trevor Penning as a left tackle at the NFL level and try holding off on a trade until the top three are drafted. But they’ll probably have to move ahead of Baltimore if they want to ensure they get a shot at Penning. We’ve seen the Saints get aggressive to move up in previous drafts.
However, they probably don’t want to move up too much. Trading up in the first round is an expensive proposition. New Orleans has a few significant gaps to fill on the roster, and maintaining their top three picks is imperative.
They can’t move up too high because they need those three top-50 picks. And they will most likely use the 18th pick on a receiver. There is a ton of variance in how the receivers are being looked at. Schematic fit will be critical in how those dominos fall, but the Saints desperately need a weapon to complement Michael Thomas.
Prediction 2: They fall in love with a QB and trade up
Say, for instance, the Saints love three quarterbacks in this class and are hellbent on drafting one of them. The trade to acquire two 2022 picks in the teens allows them to move up to ensure they get the third quarterback off the board.
Malik Willis could go to Detroit at No. 2 overall, and Kenny Pickett may head to Carolina at No. 6. The Saints could look to move up to the Giants’ pick at 7.
While that may seem excessive in this QB class, there is no price too high if New Orleans believes there are three franchise QBs available.
Prediction 3: Letting the draft come to them
The Saints are always aggressive, so this feels like the least likely scenario they’ll find themselves in on April 28. However, they’ll have options to fill holes.
The receiving market will remain ripe. The NFL couldn’t realistically draft all the good ones before the Saints’ pick. If the run starts early, it would probably mean a tackle falls to New Orleans.
Safety seems unlikely, but if Kyle Hamilton finds himself sliding, he will replace Daniel Sorenson in the quickest of heartbeats. He also fits Dennis Allen’s defense like a tailored suit.
New Orleans also could love one of Zion Johnson or Kenyon Green and be the first to take an interior offensive lineman off the board. And although they like Paulson Adebo, the Saints would be disowned by many if they had the chance to draft fellow CB Derek Stingley Jr. and did not take it.
Saints’ 2022 NFL Draft needs
The Saints’ needs are tightly defined. New Orleans managed to keep a strong roster together after beginning the offseason in more debt than a Private First Class who just bought an F250 at a 22% interest rate.
The left side of the offensive line is the most significant need. Andrus Peat does not have a moveable contract, but the Saints can look at improving left tackle. In the defensive backfield, Sorenson is a presumed starter, which must absolutely change before Week 1.
Wide receiver remains an upgradable spot for New Orleans. Thomas has been unreliable over the past two seasons because of an ankle injury. They need some high-end insurance on the roster to help Jameis Winston.
