The New Orleans Saints need a lot in the 2024 NFL draft. While it may seem like the Saints are sure to draft an offensive or defensive lineman, you never know what can happen in the draft. The Saints also seem to be losing Michael Thomas in an offense that is already questionable. What would it look like if the Saints went after a wide receiver at 14 instead of the normal options?
A name to keep an eye on as a riser in the pre-draft process in Troy Franklin out of Oregon. The 6-foot-3 receiver is a player that had his breakout season at just 19 years old and continued to dominate the game at just 20 years old, accumulating almost 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He should have a nice speed at the combine to go along with his sure hands and tall (yet slender) frame. Adding him to the offense would give the Saints a bigger-bodied and reliable weapon that can also take the top off of a defense. He isn’t a one-to-one replacement for Thomas, but would still give the Saints another playmaker in the offense. Other names to watch at this spot would be Keon Coleman, Brian Thomas Jr. and Devontez Walker. What Franklin offers over the others at this spot is consistent and proven production, his speed and reliable hands.
Here’s how the full 32 picks in the first round played out in our mock draft:
1
Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams, USC
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 02: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans throws a touchdown pass against the Tulane Green Wave in the second quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on January 02, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
2
Washington Commanders: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 18: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels passes the ball during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
3
New England Patriots: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 04: Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to facing the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 04, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
4
Arizona Cardinals: LT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Nov 4, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) stands on the sidelines during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
5
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Apr 15, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) points a finger to the sky after a successful catch during the first quarter of the Ohio State Buckeyes spring game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday morning. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus DispatchJoseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
6
New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) reacts after a first down against the Texas A&M Aggies during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
7
Tennessee Titans: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Sep 24, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) signals for a first down after catching a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
8
Atlanta Falcons: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Oct 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
9
Chicago Bears: LT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – OCTOBER 14: Joe Alt #76 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on against the USC Trojans during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on October 14, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
10
New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 09: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs scores a 22 yard touchdown in the third quarter against Abraham Camara #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
11
Minnesota Vikings: DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Nov 25, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton (4) sacks Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Ben Bryant (2) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
12
Denver Broncos: OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 23: Dallas Turner #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after tackling Jordan Watkins #11 of the Mississippi Rebels during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
13
Las Vegas Raiders: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
EUGENE, OREGON – OCTOBER 21: Bo Nix #10 of the Oregon Ducks throws the football in the second half of their game against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Lydia Ely/Getty Images)
Nov 25, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) smiles after breaking up a pass to South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor (8) during the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Clemson won 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
16
Seattle Seahawks: DE Jared Verse, Florida State
Oct 1, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Jared Verse (5) reacts to losing the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
17
Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Sep 9, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) battles against San Diego State Aztecs tight end Mark Redman (81) during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
18
Cincinnati Bengals: RT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Oct 8, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga (75) blocks Stanford Cardinal linebacker Levani Damuni (3) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
19
Los Angeles Rams: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 25: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines plays against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
20
Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
AUBURN, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 25: Terrion Arnold #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after intercepting the final pass of the game in their 27-24 win over the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
21
Miami Dolphins: RT JC Latham, Alabama
Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman JC Latham (65) against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
22
Philadelphia Eagles: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Oct 21, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Army Black Knights defensive back Cameron Jones (10) during the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
23
Houston Texans: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrates after a play during the second quarter in the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
24
Dallas Cowboys: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens (1) catches a pass against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) in the first quarter during the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
25
Green Bay Packers: LT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Nov 27, 2021; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (77) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Territorial Cup at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Bralen Trice, Washington
Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Bralen Trice (8) celebrates a safety against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
27
Arizona Cardinals: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Oct 28, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) warms up during the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
28
Buffalo Bills: WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina
Oct 7, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) warms up before the game against the Syracuse Orange at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
29
Detroit Lions: C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
30
Baltimore Ravens: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 11: Quinyon Mitchell #27 of the Toledo Rockets makes a fumble recovery during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
31
Kansas City Chiefs: DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
32
San Francisco 49ers: RT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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