The first-round of the NFL Draft is always the most high-profile night, but everyone knows the draft is often defined by days two and three; that’s typically when teams win or lose a draft. The New Orleans Saints understand that, as they have found really good players in the mid to late rounds. With the 2025 Draft approaching, they hope to do that again.
The Saints first pick is at No. 9, but they currently have three day-two picks (one in the second round, and two in the third). While it’s still early in the evaluation process, one draft analyst believes New Orleans should already have a dream day-two target. That analyst is Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report, and he recently named Mason Graham as New Orleans’ dream target in the first round.
As for day two, Ballentine believes the Saints should have their sights set on wide receiver Elic Ayomanor.
Wide receiver Elic Ayomanor named ideal day-two target for Saints
The Saints absolutely need help at wideout, and if they don’t select one in the first round, it only makes sense to draft one in rounds two or three. Ballentine detailed that, and argued that Ayomanor is perfect kind of receiver for the team to add.
"Whether it's Derek Carr or another player throwing passes for the Saints this season, they need another option outside of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Elic Ayomanor is the kind of receiver that would make sense. Olave is the all-around No. 1 receiver while Shaheed has speed to burn, and Ayomanor could settle in as the short-to-intermediate target of choice."Alex Ballentine (Bleacher Report)
Elic Ayomanor shined at Stanford the last two seasons. In 2023, he caught 62 passes for 1,013 yards and six touchdowns. In 2024, he added one more catch, hauling in 63 for just 831 yards and another six touchdowns. In addition to his collegiate production, he had a strong combine, measuring 6-foot-2, 206 pounds, and running a 4.44 40-yard dash.
He should definitely be on the Saints’ radar, as they desperately need depth at the wide receiver position. With New Orleans having a void at WR3, Elic Ayomanor could come in and immediately carve out a role for himself.