John Sigler
April 26, 2024 4:20 pm CT
How will t he New Orleans Saints follow up their strong performance on Day 1 of the 2024 NFL draft? They aren’t going to find another player as talented as Oregon State right tackle Taliese Fuaga, but the Saints should still come away with an upgrade on Friday night.
The Saints only own one pick on Day 2 (No. 45 overall, the 13th pick in Round 2) but that’s still a great place to find an impactful player. And we can’t rule out the possibility of a trade, especially with a general manager as aggressive as Mickey Loomis running the war room. Here’s who they have been linked to in Day 2 mock draft projections:
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Braden Fiske (55) reacts after a tackle on Louisville Cardinals running back Jawhar Jordan (25) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Author: Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy
Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon
Oct 21, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) signals against the Washington State Cougars in the 4th quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports
Author: ESPN‘s Steve Muench
Author’s take: After adding offensive tackleTaliese Fuagain the first round, the Saints continue to address the offensive line by adding Powers-Johnson. He can also play guard and would give them another physical tone-setter.
Keon Coleman, WR, 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
Author: The Athletic’s Dane Brugler
Adisa Isaac, DE, Penn State
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) enters the field with the rest of the defensive unit for team warmups before an NCAA football game against Indiana Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won, 33-24. Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK
Author: NBC Sports’ Eric Froton
Author’s take: Isaac led the Big Ten with 16.0 TFL in addition to a team-leading 7.5 sacks and 4.5% havoc rate. His 2.33s time-to-first-pressure average is a blazing time, while his 4.1% sack rate led all PSU defensive linemen. The team captain also slashed his missed tackle rate from 27-to-10% while earning a strong 83rd percentile PFF overall grade in the process.
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 28: Caelen Carson #1 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons attempts to tackle Keon Coleman #4 of the Florida State Seminoles during the second half of their game at Truist Field on October 28, 2023 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Florida State won 41-16. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Author: BR Scouting Department
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) makes a catch and runs for touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Author: NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein
Author’s take: McConkey is very hard to cover in man-to-man, and evenwhencovered, he rarely drops on-target throws.
Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (2) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Author: CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso
Author’s take: The Saints have to give Derek Carr more weapons, and Ja’Lynn Polk is a do-everything type out wide. Align him anywhere, too.
Chris Braswell, DE, Alabama
Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Chris Braswell (41) reacts in the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Author: PFF’s John Kosko and Trevor Sikkema
Author’s take: Cameron Jordanisn’t getting any younger, and the Saints need an infusion of cheap youth. Braswell’s power, speed and length give him the floor of a rotational pass rusher and the ceiling of an impact starter.
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) sacks Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Author: Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer
Author’s take: The Saints need to think about the future of their second level given Demario Davis is 35.
