BESSON’S MOCK DRAFT 4.0: KEEPING MICHAEL PRATT IN NEW ORLEANS

Over the weekend, I teamed up with Top Notch Sports to do a 32-person 7-round mock draft for this upcoming 2024 draft. Over the two-day event, content creators for all 32 NFL teams selected players over seven rounds for their team's needs and wants. Here is who I drafted based on how the board fell.

Round 1 Pick 14 - Olumuyiwa Fashanu

To my surprise, one of the best offensive tackles in the draft would fall into my lap at 14. Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga were the only tackles taken before I selected Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu. Fashanu is one of the best fits for New Orleans and although I was willing to take either of the top tackles in the draft that could fall to me, my favorite of the bunch would be the pick.

Round 2 Pick 45 - WR Malachi Corley

New Orleans has added to their receiver depth during the off-season, but mostly on one-year deals, and can continue to add to their receiver room through the draft. Corley has incredible after-the-catch ability including the ability to run through the defender. Corley draws comparisons to San Francisco 49ers Deebo Samuel who worked with new Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak last season. Kubiak’s experience with an elite player like Samuel could sway him to draft a similar weapon to join him in New Orleans.

Round 5 Pick 150 - RB Dylan Laube

The New Orleans Saints drafted running back Kendre Miller last year in the third round. In his rookie year, Miller didn't get much playing time as he dealt with injury. New Orleans also signed Jamaal Williams during the 2023 off-season. Similar to Miller, Williams would miss time during the season battling injury. On top of Alvin Kamara’s suspension, these two injuries left the Saints with one of the most lackluster run games in the league that limited their offense proving that their depth at running back isn't as deep as it seems.

New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube played five seasons with the Wildcats and remained healthy throughout his final seasons with the team. Laube offers the ability to be a receiving threat in the backfield and is a very smart runner.

Round 5 Pick 168 - S Jaylon Carlies

Missouri safety Jaylon Carlies has been one of my favorite sleepers in the draft. At 6’3, Carlies moves fluidly and has great ball skills. The Saints drafted Jordan Howden last season and the second-year safety has many fans in the building. Still, with Tyrann Mathieu aging and Dennis Allen’s love for the secondary, New Orleans can continue to add depth to the safety room.

Round 5 Pick 170 - TE Erick All

The Saints have been looking for next-level tight-end talent for a while, and although Taysom Hill is a game-changer for the New Orleans, it rarely comes in the receiving game. Juwan Johnson has shown flashes of potential, and he very well could produce for the team, but his flat 2023 season could have the Saints looking to add to their room. Iowa’s Erick All can be the next pass-catcher New Orleans could add to the room. All is great after the catch and at 6’4 provides height to a Saints offense that is currently lacking in that department. All has questions about his blocking ability as he looks to knock down defenders instead of holding a block, but his receiving ability could see him land with New Orleans as there is interest.

Round 5 Pick 175 - OC Dylan McMahon

The Saints have struggled to keep offensive linemen on the field due to injury. NC State’s Dylan McMahon has played a significant number of snaps in every interior offensive line position. New Orleans drafted a similar player in Nick Saldiveri in last year's draft, but with the loss of left guard Andrus Peat in free agency, New Orleans can make a similar move.

Round 6 Pick 190 - QB Michael Pratt

One of the biggest surprises in this mock draft was Tulane’s Michael Pratt falling to me in the sixth round. The Saints currently have four quarterbacks on their roster after signing Kellen Mond and Nathan Peterman in the offseason, but the value of these deals is not significant enough to stop New Orleans from adding someone they believe could be a piece of their future. Pratt has been flying up draft boards recently and has hype around him as one of the biggest sleepers in the draft. If Pratt were to fall, it would not surprise me if the Saints keep him in New Orleans.

Round 6 Pick 199 - CB Deantre Prince

Cornerback Alontae Taylor has struggled in his new role as a slot corner, and although Taylor deserves some slack as it was his first season playing out of position, the Saints could still add a corner that is more comfortable in that role. Ole Miss cornerback Deantre Prince has the skill set of a slot corner with elite speed to mirror speedy receivers. With questions at slot corner for the Saints, they could add to the room for depth.

Round 7 Pick 239 - P Ryan Rehkow

Saints punter Lou Hedley ranked 37th in average yards per punt. Although multiple factors go into this such as offensive positioning and other such factors, Hudley struggled to flip field position for the Saints' defense. BYU’s Rehkow has a monster leg and had 60+ yard punts in seven games last season. With nine picks in the draft, New Orleans can bring another punter into the building for competition.

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2024-04-22T15:12:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd