I know the title can be misleading, but we’re not here to discuss the NBA. The Saints, where they are selecting in this year’s draft, essentially have a lottery pick.
The way the season was going, many of us thought the Saints would be selecting in the top five, maybe even the top three. But now, with this infusion of youth, the growth of a young quarterback, and the additions they were able to make through free agency, having the eighth pick in the draft puts them in a strong position.
If one of the
better options is still available in the first round, the value they’ll have at that spot is tremendous. It also gives them flexibility. They can explore other opportunities, make a trade up (which I hope they don’t), trade back and gain more assets, or stay right where they are, trust their scouting, and make a selection that could turn into an All-Pro player.
Normally, the eighth pick in the NFL Draft is a tough spot. It sits just outside the top five but still high enough in the top ten where teams may feel pressure to reach or trade up for “their guy.” But because of the depth and strength in this year’s draft, the Saints are sitting in a prime position.
If they stay at that pick, they’ll have the opportunity to draft a player who can make an immediate impact on either side of the ball.
This is a great pick. The “lottery” aspect of it is simple. They can either hit big, or walk out of here with their heads down and empty pockets, wondering why no one stopped them from making the decisions they made.
This will be an exciting and fun draft, based on the work they’ve already done and the future that has yet to be determined.
