After the Derek Carr signing, the New Orleans Saints can focus on other positions to build up both sides of the football in this seven round mock draft.
The New Orleans Saints toppled the first domino of the offseason, signing quarterback Derek Carr to a four-year, $150 million deal that includes $70 million guaranteed, 60 of which is at signing. He also backloaded the deal to help the Saints’ cap issues, so Carr is set to make just $7.2 million in 2023.
So, it’s clear the Saints plan on staying with the “we’re all in, we’re contending” mantra that continues to push the credit card envelope and kick the can further down the road. Right now, they’re NFC South favorites.
New Orleans Saints 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Post-Derek Carr Projections
There’s still work to do with restructures and everything to get under the cap for 2023, but the 2023 NFL Draft looms for the Saints, who got a first-round pick by trading Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos. That gives them three picks in the top 75, which should be good enough to bring in some early contributors to push the chips further forward. Let’s dive in to a seven-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft for the New Orleans Saints.
Round 1, 29th Overall: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Despite the idea of patience at the tight end position, Adam Trautman hasn’t panned out from the 2020 draft. With Michael Thomas potentially staying after his post about the Carr signing, and Chris Olave in tow, the New Orleans Saints need a middle of the field maestro. They get one here in Michael Mayer.
Mayer will certainly be a first-round pick, but recency bias might have teams looking to others before him. Darnell Washington tested out of his mind and is a huge target plus a third tackle. Dalton Kincaid has rare quicks. Luke Musgrave is big and fast. Mayer gets a little lost in the shuffle here, but he’s excellent.
Mayer will immediately come in and be the versatile threat that Carr and the Saints need him to be. He can play inline at “Y”, as he vastly improved as a run blocker during the 2022 season. He’s got reliable hands to pluck the ball out of the air, wins above the rim, and can take on contact over the middle of the field and in the red zone. Notre Dame also flexed him out to the slot and out wide, and he won with good short area quicks in his route breaks.
Round 2, 40th Overall: Mazi Smith, DL, Michigan
The New Orleans Saints have a few things to work out along the defensive line. Where will Payton Turner stick? How much does bringing Tanoh Kpassagnon back matter? Carl Granderson has done well in spurts.
The real issue exists on the interior, where David Onyemata is getting $10 million from the Saints whether he’s back or not. They don’t have much on the interior at all right now, and Mazi Smith would be an anchor up front. The 6’3″, 323-pound defensive tackle can eat space and take on double teams up front. Athletically, Smith has upside to wreak havoc as a rusher as he continues to develop a rush repertoire up front.
Round 3, 71st Overall: Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
Yes, we mentioned how much the New Orleans Saints have on the edge, but we don’t know where Turner fits best just yet. Cam Jordan is doing great things, but looking to the future with Marcus Davenport likely gone in free agency matters. Luckily, as others take reps in 2023, Zach Harrison can develop the toolbox as well.
Harrison is a big, long edge rusher who flashes impressive power at the point of attack and can overwhelm tackles with said power. The athleticism is there to hone in his skill set to be a dynamic pass rusher at the next level.
Round 4, 115th Overall: Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
Yes, it’s running back for the New Orleans Saints here in the fourth round of this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. We don’t know a lot about what’s going to happen with Alvin Kamara as he faces legal issues. Behind him? Not much. So, why not capitalize on the 2023 NFL Draft class at running back here? Roschon Johnson packs a ton of power, often moonlighting as a bowling ball with defenders cosplaying as pins. He also has breakaway speed at 219 pounds, and has impressive footwork and processing skills, not to mention good ball security (one fumble in four seasons).
The converted quarterback also sticks his nose in the run game, often playing the part of lead blocker for Bijan Robinson and acting as the split zone blocker taking on defensive lineman. It’s impressive. Get him in the building.
Round 5, 148th Overall: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi
Despite having both Thomas and Olave set to go for 2023 (we assume), the receiver room doesn’t have much depth outside of Rashid Shaheed, who had a very good 2022 season. Thomas carries a $59 million number in 2024. Jonathan Mingo is a densely packed wide receiver at 221 pounds, and can operate over the middle of the field and win vertically.
Round 5, 167th Overall: John Ojukwu, OT, Boise State
James Hurst was the New Orleans Saints left tackle in 2022 while Trevor Penning continues to hone his game. There’s a chance Penning never figures it out, so adding more depth at tackle to potentially find the long-term answer is worth it. John Ojukwu is a seasoned starter at left tackle for Boise State, and didn’t allow a sack in the 2022 season.
Round 7, 229th Overall: Daniel Scott, SAF, Cal
Tyrann Mathieu, Marcus Maye, and who else? Alontae Taylor was talked about as a potential convert to safety from corner, but he’s looked good in his role. The safety class wasn’t very athletic as a whole, but Daniel Scott showed out in a big way. His functional athleticism combined with a strong week in Mobile should get him to land in an early rotational role.
Round 7, 260th Overall: Chandler Zavala, OL, North Carolina State
Offensive line depth is always something appreciated in the NFL, especially when getting into a next player up mentality. Chandler Zavala is a deeper sleeper on the interior of the offensive line that can play well if thrust into a starting role early in his career.