A 2-0 start for the New Orleans Saints showcased a team that looked like they were going to blow expectations out of the water and surprise the entire country. However, the Saints have now lost four straight and allowed 77 points the prior two weeks combined—a good reminder to never make early knee-jerk reactions. While their offensive output was obviously unsustainable after the first two weeks (91 points combined), the team has fallen back to Earth in both phases and has failed to find its footing since Week 2.
The recent slide showcased evident holes in a roster that hopes to remain competitive in what looks like a wide-open NFC South for the near future. Here is an early look at where New Orleans could go come April in this Saints 7-round mock draft.
Round 1 (No. 9 overall): Will Campbell, OT, LSU
A year after taking Taliese Fuaga on day one last year, New Orleans goes right back to the tackle well here with a local product in Will Campbell. In this scenario, Fuaga would bounce back to his natural home at RT with Campbell slotting in immediately on the opposite side. For whoever starts under center for the Saints moving forward, the tandem of Campbell and Fuaga would showcase one of the NFL's premier young tackle tandems.
Round 2 (No. 40 overall): DeMonte Capehart, DL, Clemson
An explosive piece within the interior, DeMonte Capehart can distort a front five with his spring-loaded hands and immensely powerful lower half. A player with first-round grades across the league in the spring, he’d be an excellent fit within the interior alongside 2023 first-rounder Bryan Bresee.
Round 3 (No. 71 overall): Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
The Saints have a nice list of exciting young playmakers on the outside, but Tez Johnson would provide a well-rounded three-level threat that would complement Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed well. 2024 fifth-rounder Bub Means and UDFA Mason Tipton each have had their moments so far this fall, but Johnson is a legit WR2 in an NFL attack, and his burst would play extremely well—similar to Shaheed—on the fast track that is the Superdome.
Round 4 (No. 113 overall): Woody Marks, RB, USC
Alvin Kamara is a free agent after next year, and planning for his departure could be wise for GM Mickey Loomis. Woody Marks, a player with similar traits to Kamara, has the skill set to succeed as the lead back, as well as the nuance and creativity in space to expand a playbook like Kamara has for so long. If not here in the fourth, expect New Orleans to take a shot at a running back in April with how deep and talented the class is expected to be.
Round 5 (No. 149 overall): Lathan Ransom, SAF, Ohio State
A five-year contributor for the Buckeyes’ defense, Lathan Ransom’s alignment versatility and experience at the Power Four level should translate quickly to the pro game. While the Tucson, Arizona native lives at the free safety spot primarily, he’s accrued 581 career snaps in the box, with another 576 at nickel. That versatility should earn him an early rotational role on defense after making his mark likely as a core special teamer to begin his career.
Round 7 (No. 252 overall): Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern
With it being so early in the process, I like to use these selections to introduce players to the audience that are currently unknown to the public eye. For Anto Saka, 18 pressures in five games have drawn some attention early in 2024. He’s won primarily due to his ability to win with speed to the outside shoulder, but if Saka can continue to refine his game on early downs, his stock will kick into high gear. Each cycle the Northwestern program produces NFL talent, and Saka could be its headliner should he declare (redshirt sophomore).
