Saints 7-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Combine shakes up New Orleans’ draft approach

At the 2024 NFL Combine players showed out. A lot of player's draft stocks were impacted, both negatively and positively. Some players will now likely be drafted higher, while others will go lower. Each team will decide the fate of all the prospects.

The New Orleans are, of course, one of the teams in the equation. With several positions of need, the Saints were certainly locked in on multiple positions at the combine. How did the performances affect New Orleans’ draft strategy? Let’s take a look at how a Saints’ draft might look now that the Combine is over.

Round 1 Pick 14: Olumuyiwa Fashanu - Offensive Tackle, Penn State

With the 14th overall pick, I have the Saints selecting Olumuyiwa Fashanu, offensive tackle out of Penn State. Offensive tackle is a massive need for the Saints this offseason. The inconsistencies at the position have hurt the Saints in recent years. Ryan Ramczyk has been injury-prone, Trevor Penning has been inconsistent, and Andrus Peat is a free agent. Picking up Fashanu would instantly fill a hole at the tackle spot and he could be the Saints franchise tackle.

Olu Fashanu is as NFL-ready as a tackle prospect can come. He hasn’t allowed a single sack in his 1,349 career snaps. Achieving that in the Big 10 is no easy feat. In 2023 he didn’t even allow a single hurry to the quarterback. Fashanu combines his great frame with elite athleticism making it extremely difficult to get to the quarterback.

Fashanu is a perfect prospect for the Saints. At Penn State, they run a zone run game scheme and that is what the Saints are inputting into their offense this year. Fashanu is very quick and plays with a high motor allowing him to reach the second level when needed in the run game. Picking Fashanu at 14 would answer a position that the Saints desperately need help with.