The 2022 NFL draft is just a few days away, which means that draft analysts and local writers are getting all of their final mock drafts out for consumption. Unlike some teams, there does not seem to be much consensus around what the New Orleans Saints are going to do with their two first-round picks. Do they want two starters? A tackle and a wide receiver? Will they take neither? Will they take a quarterback? Do they need to trade up?
No one seems to know the answers for sure, but this is what NFL writers are saying about what could happen on Thursday night:
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
AP Photo/Butch Dill
Pick 16: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
“It’s hard to see the Saints passing on a quarterback, given the price they paid to add this selection. Ridder’s maturity, arm strength and athleticism give him a chance to be a very good starter down the road, and he’ll be ready to go in 2023 after veterans Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton pass the torch.”
Pick 19: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah
“New Orleans’ plan to find new future leaders on both sides of the ball in this draft pays off with the selections of Ridder and Lloyd. The former Ute can start at any of the Saints’ three linebacker spots because of his ability to rush the passer, cover tight ends and stick his nose into the run game.”
Austin Gayle, Pro Football Focus
AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
Pick 16: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
“Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning put up freakish testing numbers f”or a player his size and will be coveted for an uncoachable mean streak by a lot of the league’s old-school offensive line coaches. He earned a 97.3 overall grade and 99.9 PFF run-blocking grade across 771 offensive snaps at left tackle in 2021. There are still concerns with his feet in pass protection and overall pad level, but he’s exactly the type of project player NFL teams like to bet on at offensive tackle.”
Pick 19:…
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