In this article, I’ll be going over my first mock NFL Draft for the New Orleans Saints. Featuring no trades, we will welcoming 10 new members to the team.

Round One

Pick #9

James Pearce Jr., edge defender, Tennessee.

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The Saints’ defensive line is in need of some improvement. According to the SEC’s website, James Pearce Jr. was first-team All-SEC in 2024, with 25 tackles and eight sacks in 13 games played. He will undoubtedly help out on the edge.

Round Two

Pick #40

Jack Bech, Wide Receiver, TCU

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Jack Bech is the contested wide receiver that the Saints need. The Senior Bowl MVP had 62 receptions on 91 targets, 1,034 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. Bech is only the fifth receiver in TCU history to have 1,000 yards receiving in a season, according to the school’s website. He was also named second-team All-Big 12 in 2024.

Round Three

Pick #71

Tyler Booker, Guard, Alabama

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It’s not just the defensive line that needs improving. With all of the offensive line’s injuries last season, it is clear that they need depth to improve next season. Tyler Booker, a left guard out of Alabama, will be a key part of that process. In his three years with the Crimson Tide, he’s only allowed two sacks. Per Bama’s website, Booker was named first-team All-American in 2024.

Pick #93

Mason Taylor, tight end, LSU

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The tight end room has been lacking for a few seasons at this point, and last year, it was apparent that it needs a fresh face. Mason Taylor, who was named third-team All-SEC in 2024, could be that needed newcomer. Last season, according to PFF, he had 55 receptions of 79 targets, 546 yards, and two touchdowns. Taylor also had an impressive Senior Bowl.

Round Four

Pick #110

JJ Pegues, defensive interior, Ole Miss

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More help for the defensive line, but this time on its interior. JJ Pegues recorded four sacks, 24 quarterback hurries, and 20 tackles in 13 games for Ole Miss in 2024, earning third-team All-SEC honors. He was also given the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, which honors the late namesake, who was paralyzed after completing a tackle in Ole Miss’ 1989 homecoming game. Pegues was also given an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Pick #129

Jack Kiser, linebacker, Notre Dame

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He might be one of the older players in the draft, but linebacker Jack Kiser can pack a punch. He’s spent six seasons with Notre Dame and became their all-time leader in games played last season. At the Senior Bowl, he was voted the best linebacker in practice on the American team.

Round Six

Pick #184

Tahj Brooks, running back, Texas Tech

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With Alvin Kamara entering his ninth season and Kendre Miller’s health concerns, the Saints could use another running back. Tahj Brooks, out of Texas Tech, would be a great addition to the RB room. According to PFF, he appeared in 11 games last season, totaling 1,512 rushing yards for 17 touchdowns and 199 receiving yards for one touchdown reception. In 2024, Brooks was also named second-team All-Big 12, first-team academic All-American, and was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Pick #205

Miles Frazier, guard, LSU

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More help on the offensive interior is needed, and Miles Frazier, who plays left guard, would be a welcome addition. Per PFF, in 2024, he fell just 98 snaps short of 1,000 total snaps played, and he also saw a goose egg in the sacks allowed category. At the Senior Bowl, Frazier was also named the interior offensive lineman of the week for the American team.

Round Seven

Pick #252

Zakhari Franklin, wide receiver, Illinois

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Adding more depth to the wide receiver room, Zakhari Franklin from Illinois would be valuable in that role. At the end of his college career, Franklin was one yard away from becoming the first wide receiver since 2017 to reach 4,000 career receiving yards. In 2024, he notched 55 receptions for 660 yards and four touchdowns, according to PFF.

Pick #255

Seth Henigan, quarterback, Memphis

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Will Derek Carr stay another year in New Orleans, or will the Saints bite the bullet and release him, taking on a $51 million cap hit? It’s unclear what could happen at the moment, but just in case, I have them drafting Seth Henigan, a QB from Memphis, to back up Spencer Rattler (the most likely starter in the scenario that Carr gets cut). He was named third-team All-ACC and was also invited to the Senior Bowl. According to ESPN, in 2024, Henigan had 309 completions on 477 attempts, 3,502 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Furthermore, after four years at Memphis, he is the school’s leading passer in terms of yards and touchdowns.