2022 NFL Draft: Grading Every Team’s 2022 NFL Draft Haul

Saints (5 picks):

1:11 – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

1:19 – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

2:17 – Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee

5:18 – D’Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian St.

6:15 – Jordan Jackson, DT, Air Force

The New Orleans Saints surprised many by not taking a single quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft. Much of the chatter leading up to the draft centered around the Saints and what they had up their sleeves. We all should have known that they wouldn’t force the issue at quarterback, as they instead decided to secure a top-tier wide receiver prospect and a potential Terron Armstead replacement at left tackle.

Chris Olave joins his fellow Ohio State Buckeyes alum, Michael Thomas, in the wide receiver corps, giving whomever is at quarterback a duo that gets open at a high rate. Trevor Penning is still a work in progress, but the mentality and edge he brings to the offensive line is something that coaches covet because it is so infectious.

While I love the Olave move, and understand the Penning move, I’m more lukewarm about the other choices. Alontae Taylor has the makeup you want for a cornerback, but he’s still putting it all together. The same can be said about D’Marco Jackson at linebacker. Given the fact that the Saints view themselves as contenders, it is surprising to me that they took a couple projects while only having five total picks in the draft. New Orleans accomplished exactly what they wanted to, but it doesn’t move me as much as it could. Still a solid class with their limited resources.

Grade: C+