NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah revealed his most recent mock draft and he went in a surprising direction for the New Orleans Saints. Instead of going with popular selections, Jeremiyah Love or Caleb Downs, Jeremiah had the Saints selecting USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.
Lemon is a player that's starting to get more of a buzz. He's landing within the top 10 to 15 of more mock drafts as we approach the NFL Scouting Combine. Lemon is a little smaller than the Saints tend to like their receivers, but he would instantly give the Saints the run after catch threat that the team desperately need.
Wide receiver is near the top of many fans' wants, and Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award for the best receiver in the country. He's generally considered in the top three receivers along with Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate. In this mock draft, Lemon was the second off the board at his position. So why would fans be displeased with this draft?
Saints fans may erupt if they pass on Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs
The reaction to this has little to do with Makai Lemon. Lemon is an extremely talented receiver, but it seems like fans have their mind set on one of two players. If the Saints don't pick Jeremiyah Love, then the pick should be Caleb Downs. This is of course assuming either player is on the board.
In Jeremiah's mock draft, both players were available when the Saints were on the clock. Still, the Saints chose to go with the wide receiver. Fans wouldn't be upset about the position. It's clearly a position the Saints need to address, but fans have simply fallen head over hills for Love and Downs.
It's hard to blame fans for feeling this way. While Downs and Love aren't the only talented players in the class, they're both highly touted enough to destroy the positional biases that come with drafting running backs and safeties that high. In the mind of some analysts, Downs is the best player in the draft.
Love went to the Chiefs right after the Saints' selection, and Downs rounded out the top 10 by falling to the Bengals. Jeremiah's decision emphasizes how much he values Lemon, but it also likely suggests the Saints have too many needs in his mind to pass on a premier position.