The Saints missed the playoffs at 9-8 last season, failing to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016. Finishing above .500 was no small task considering the team lost starting QB Jameis Winston in October and were without top WR Michael Thomas all season. Following Sean Payton’s retirement in January, the Saints promoted DC Dennis Allen to head coach, adding another wrinkle to their offseason. This will be Allen’s 4th season as a head coach after he went 8-28 in three seasons with the Raiders.
Following a trade with the Eagles that involved eight picks, the Saints hold two first rounders in the 2022 Draft. One of their top priorities will be wide receiver. With Thomas out all last season, New Orleans’ lack of another playmaker at the position was evident. Whether Thomas comes back healthy or not, the Saints could use another reliable option at wide receiver.
Another need New Orleans will be looking to address is at offensive tackle. Three-time Pro Bowl LT Terron Armstead signed a 5-year, $75 million deal with the Dolphins in free agency, leaving the Saints a massive hole at tackle. Currently, the Saints only have two tackles on the roster, starting RT Ryan Ramczyk and 2021 6th-round pick Landon Young, so it’s likely GM Mickey Loomis uses one of his two first-round picks to help replace Armstead.
While the Saints re-signed Jameis Winston to a 2-year deal, brought in veteran Andy Dalton as a backup option and have Taysom Hill signed long term, it wouldn’t be out of the question for the team to take a QB if somebody they love falls to them, especially since their 2023 1st-round pick now belongs to the Eagles.
Click here for the entire 2022 NFL Draft order and keep reading to see where the Saints will be making picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Coverage of the latest news from around the NFL is available all year round on PFT’s Peacock channel.
New Orleans Saints 2022 Draft Picks:
Round 1: No. 11 (from WAS) - Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Round 1: No. 19 (from PHI) - Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Round 2: No. 49 - Alontae Taylor, S, Tennessee
Round 5: No. 161 - D’Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State
Round 6: No. 194 (from IND via PHI) - Jordan Jackson, DT, Air Force
Click here to see all of New Orleans’ picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Check out draft picks for other teams in the NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022 draft picks
Carolina Panthers 2022 draft picks
