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

Round 5 Pick 149: Isaac Guerendo - Half Back, Louisville

With their first of four fifth-round picks, the Saints pick up Isaac Guerendo, the running back from Louisville. Guerendo was one of the best performers in the NFL Combine, making his name known. He would help develop depth at a position that the Saints were lacking last year.

Jamaal Williams didn’t have a great year for the Saints. Guerendo could fill in that type of role. He ranked first among all running backs in the 40-yard dash at a blazing 4.33. His explosiveness was also shown with his 41.5-inch vertical jump (ranking No. 1) and his 10-foot-8-inch broad jump (ranking No. 2). He is an extremely explosive and dynamic player.

Guerendo is very athletic and has deceptive speed. Last year at Louisville, he ran for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was very successful when he touched the ball, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. While he is a powerful runner, he needs to work on sharpening his cuts but if he does that Isaac Guerendo will be a productive player at the next level.

Round 5 Pick 167: Luke McCaffrey - Wide Receiver, Rice

At pick 167, the Saints select Luke McCaffrey, the wide receiver from Rice. Last year at Rice, McCaffrey had 71 receptions for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns. He doesn’t contain elite vertical speed, he only ran a 4.46 40-yard dash (ranking 19th among receivers), but McCaffrey has the elite ability to change directions on a dime. At the Combine he ranked second among all receivers in the 3-cone drill and first in the 20-yard shuttle.

McCaffrey is a great deep-ball receiver, with a good frame standing at 6-foot-2. He is also a very smart player. He started his collegiate career as a quarterback at the University of Nebraska. When zone coverage is played, he understands how to make himself open for the quarterback. Luke McCaffrey would provide much-needed depth at wide receiver for the Saints.