In his latest 2022 NFL mock draft for ESPN, veteran analyst Mel Kiper linked the New Orleans Saints to a big-time prospect at their greatest position of need: wide receiver. And he has the Saints moving up a few spots on draft day, targeting Ohio State Buckeyes prospect Garrett Wilson.
Kiper’s suggested trade isn’t anything wild — he has the Saints moving up from No. 18 to the Baltimore Ravens’ pick at No. 14, exchanging their compensatory third rounder (likely around No. 100 overall) to facilitate the trade. Here’s what Kiper had to say about the pick:
“There are many questions around the post-Sean Payton era for the Saints, but it’s clear that the team has to add more weapons around whomever plays quarterback in 2022. Michael Thomas should be back after missing all of last season, and he could use a wideout to take some pressure off him. Wilson has the versatility to play in the slot or outside, and he can pile on yards after the catch. He had 113 catches and 18 touchdowns for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons.
If the Saints keep the No. 18 pick, offensive tackle could be in play, especially if Trevor Penning is available. Quarterback Malik Willis could be an option, too, but the Saints are more ready to try to win in 2022, and I think Willis needs a little more seasoning before he’s thrown into the fire in the NFL.”
I’ve been howling for the Saints to add another receiver to help clean up their putrid passing game, so I’d be in favor of this move (I’ve also been an advocate of trading up, and in my recent mock draft the Saints did just that to go get Penning). Depending on where you look, Wilson is either the best receiver in this draft class or a consensus top-five player at his position group. In this scenario, he’d be the second receiver off the board with USC’s Drake London landing inside the top 10 picks.
While talent runs very deep at receiver this year, if the Saints feel one prospect is clearly above the rest then we should expect them to go up and get their guy. That’s been standard operating procedure throughout Mickey Loomis’s tenure as general manager. Maybe Wilson is their preferred choice, but with so many great options clustered together they really can’t go wrong. It’ll be fascinating to see how this plays out in the months ahead.
