Saints 4-round mock draft: NOLA gains draft capital, still lands top talent

Round 4: Pick 139 – Cole Turner, TE (Nevada)

It’s hard to debate how poorly the Saints’ tight ends have performed in recent years and that’s why New Orleans addresses the position in the fourth round. They were lucky that a talented playmaker such as Cole Turner was still on the board when they went to pick at No. 139.

Turner played in 11 games this year and totaled 62 receptions for 677 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 10.9 yards per catch. He was a great weapon for the Wolfpack and could find himself in the TE1 role for New Orleans.

Adam Trautman was taken in the third round just three years ago and hasn’t amounted to much. Nick Vannett isn’t the long-term answer at the position and while Juwan Johnson showed the most talent at the position, he’s also not the long-term answer.

Turner might not break onto the scene immediately but he’s definitely someone who could pack a punch in this offense.

The Saints managed to add draft capital for the 2023 draft and only had to move back one spot, where they still landed a top offensive tackle prospect in Charles Cross. In the second round, they added a wide receiver who can take the tops off of defenses. With no third-round pick, the Saints made their fourth-round picks count with the selections of an offensive guard and tight end, two positions of need.

Some might argue the team needed to address defense early on but it’d be hard to argue about these positions needing to be addressed.