The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, meaning it’s now time to take stock of how players performed and what this year’s draft might look like.
While the New Orleans Saints’ team needs didn’t magically change during the combine, where players might get drafted did. There will be some players the Saints were eyeing that will be out of range now and some that they might need to target earlier than previously expected. It was a great combine in terms of performances from the positions that the Saints need most, such as defensive end and offensive tackle.
Here’s a seven-round (six, really, after making a trade) mock draft for the Saints, taking the NFL combine results into consideration:
Round 1, Pick 14: Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
With Robinson, the Saints get a bit of everything in their wheelhouse. He has a size and speed combination that led him to one of the highest Relative Athletic Scores of anyone at the NFL combine. His 1.54 10-yard split was one of the fastest ever at a combine for an edge defender over 250 pounds. The Saints need to get faster on the edge, but everyone knows they don’t want to sacrifice size at that position.
TRADE
New Orleans Saints Receive: Round 2, Pick 57; Round 3, Pick 88
Green Bay Packers Receive: Round 2, Pick 45; Round 5, Pick 167; Round 5, Pick 169
We’re trading down, but in typical Mickey Loomis we’re giving up more than we probably should have to by sending out multiple picks. Still, it’s worth adding another early-round selection in such a thin draft class, and we’re flush with late-round picks thanks to the compensatory picks expected to come in.
Round 2, Pick 57: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Paul not only dominated the Senior Bowl, but he also dominated the NFL combine. The 6-foot-7, 331-pound mountain of a left tackle is experienced and an athletic freak. He has the makings of a franchise guy, allowing Saints more freedom in free agency and to focus more on the interior of the line.
Round 3, Pick 88: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Johnson is another guy that crushed both the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine. He’s a willing blocker and a proven red zone threat that had his stock raised during the pre-draft process. The Saints need more out of their tight ends and can’t afford to trot out the same inconsistent group next year. Drafting someone like Johnson would give them much-needed some athleticism and youth in that room.
Round 5, Pick 149: Javion Cohen, IOL, Miami
While the Saints will likely prioritize bringing Andrus Peat back in free agency, it would be smart to work on the interior line depth in the draft too. Cohen is a guy that could quickly develop into a starter as well. He impressed at the Senior Bowl. While he didn’t run a 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, he did work out on the field and looked good.
Round 5, Pick 174: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
Klint Kubiak gets to reunite with a McCaffrey in this timeline. Christian McCaffrey’s brother finished his college career as a receiver at Rice after starting as a Nebraska quarterback. He’s been playing the position for two years now, but came into his own quickly with 19 receiving touchdowns in that short time. It’s no shocker, but he is very athletic and could be a bit of a puzzle piece for Kubiak to move around a couple of spots. He had seven career rushing touchdowns in college.
Round 6, Pick 192: Kenny Logan, S, Kansas
Logan has experience playing both as a safety and as a nickel corner in the slot. He’s not an elite run defender, but did have seven tackles for a loss last season for Kansas. He fell just five tackles short of having three straight seasons of over 100 tackles in 2023.
Round 6, Pick 200: Evan Anderson, DL, Florida Atlantic
Who doesn’t love a 350-pound defensive tackle that wears a single digit number in college. With his size, Anderson is definitely known more as a run defender, but he was surprisingly effective as a pass rusher as well. He had seven career sacks and 20 career tackles for a loss.
Recapping our draft
- Round 1, Pick 14: Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
- Round 2, Pick 57: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
- Round 3, Pick 88: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
- Round 5, Pick 149: Javion Cohen, IOL, Miami
- Round 5, Pick 174: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
- Round 6, Pick 192: Kenny Logan, S, Kansas
- Round 6, Pick 200: Evan Anderson, DL, Florida Atlantic
