With the 2024 season over, the NFL has turned its attention to draft season. Soon, top prospects will report to Indianapolis for the scouting combine, followed by pro days, visits, and all the other evaluation events leading up to the 2025 Draft. That’s when teams will put all their evaluating to the test, and try to select players that will change their franchise.
The New Orleans Saints will need a few of those players if the team is going to get back to the glory days anytime soon. The Saints are coming off a 5-12 season, missing the playoffs for a fifth year in a row, so things have been rough in New Orleans. Fortunately, the team does have the ninth-overall pick.
At No. 9, the Saints will be able to land an elite prospect, but they could still see a handful of their top guys fly off the board before they even get on the clock. In a recent PFF mock draft by Jordan Plocher, that’s exactly what happened. Many analysts have predicted that New Orleans wants to select top receiver prospect Tetairoa McMillian at No. 9. However, in this mock, he went one spot ahead at No. 8 to the Carolina Panthers.
This led to New Orleans drafting edge defender James Pearce Jr.
Saints select James Pearce Jr. in recent PFF mock draft
Interestingly enough, Plocher highlighted how a pass rusher would make a lot of sense at No. 8 for the Panthers. However, he opted to give Bryce Young another weapon, and the Saints took the pass rusher. Considering that New Orleans really does need to upgrade that position and find a long-term answer, this selection of Pearce out of Tennessee makes a ton of sense.
However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if fans preferred New Orleans gets a receiver. The Saints are thin at the position after Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, and McMillan would provide another type of wideout for the offense. Unfortunately, unless New Orleans is willing to trade up, the team’s pick will ultimately come down to what other teams, like the Panthers, do.