2022 Saints Mock Draft: New coaching staff goes heavy on WR picks

Round 1: Pick 18 – Sam Howell, QB (North Carolina)

This is not a great time for a team to desperately need a quarterback as the Saints do. Jameis Winston and Trevor Siemian are both free agents, Taysom Hill could end up missing the entire season due to injury, and Ian Book… well… I’ll stop there.

Unfortunately for New Orleans, this year’s quarterback draft class isn’t strong but with Payton stepping away, the team might not have any other choice than to target a signal-caller in the draft and the first round, at that.

So, with that said, they go with North Carolina’s Sam Howell, who in some mocks, has gone in the top 10. If he’s still on the board at pick No. 18, it might be too hard for NOLA to pass up.

Howell finished this season throwing for 3,056 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine picks while rushing for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns. He can do it through the air and on the ground.

While Howell probably isn’t someone who should start in 2022, at least not right off the bat, he’s a great option to draft as a developmental quarterback. This probably isn’t a pick the Saints make if they don’t re-sign Jameis Winston or add another decent veteran to start in 2022 because Howell is not ready to start in Week 1.