New Orleans Saints snag hometown wide receiver in recent mock draft

In the most recent mock draft by the Detroit Free Press, the New Orleans Saints snag the play that should be No. 1 on their big board, Justin Jefferson.

The New Orleans Saints have multiple areas they could target with the No. 24 pick in the NFL Draft. Wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker and offensive line are all positions that could use additional depth heading into 2020.

However, there are one of those positions that need a bit more than help than the others, and that is wide receiver. Michael Thomas, who set the record for receptions in a season and also had the league-high in yards, was outstanding.

After him, there really wasn’t an impactful receiver on the team. Tre’Quan Smith was subpar in his second season and Keith Kirkwood spent the bulk of the year on the injured reserve all while Ted Ginn Jr. was dropping balls for star quarterback Drew Brees.

That need could force New Orleans’ hand.

That said, in a recent mock draft by the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett, the Saints select hometown receiver Justin Jefferson who played his collegiate ball at LSU, the NCAA’s reigning national champions.

Mainly a gallery of photos, Birkett brought up a good point and one that deserves more talking about.

That is, could the New Orleans Saints, who are without a second-round draft pick, trade down? They could potentially snag an additional second and third, helping reload several of these much-needed positions.

Here’s exactly what Birkett said.

“The Saints are a prime trade-down candidate with no second-round pick,” he said. And, to be fair, he’s not wrong. The multiple, highly noticeable needs should have the Saints thinking to move on down in the draft.

While it’s not often something the team would do, the rationale for making such a move, especially given their lack of cap space to enhance their roster, is there.