Mock drafts are all of the rage in March and April. Fans want to know who their team may select in the upcoming NFL Draft. Way-too-early mocks are a fun scenario to do during the summer, too. For the New Orleans Saints, the latest mock draft from ESPN's Matt Miller gifts them an intriguing prospect.
Miller explains how ESPN got to their draft order for this exercise. It's a unique way, but it makes sense.
Our draft order for this exercise comes from ESPN's Football Power Index , which uses thousands of simulations to predict the 2024 NFL season . In turn, that gives us a 1-32 order, starting with the Patriots at No. 1. -- Matt Miller, ESPN
Saints select Texas QB Quinn Ewers 10th overall
The 2024 season will be crucial for the future of starting quarterback Derek Carr in New Orleans and perhaps provide a window into what the team has in rookie fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler . At this time, it doesn't appear that either quarterback is the future here. Ewers has talent worthy of a first-overall pick heading into his third season as a starter at Texas. At 21 years old, he has to cut down on poor decisions during games, but his accuracy, mobility and arm strength are that of a future NFL starter. Ewers threw for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdown passes last season. -- Matt Miller, ESPN
The Saints get their hopeful, new franchise QB in Miller's exercise. Ewers was a highly-touted high school QB prospect who has had some extreme highs and lows so far in his college career with the Longhorns.
Why is this pick one that would upset Saints fans right now?
Firstly, New Orleans is picking tenth overall. That means they fell short of the playoffs for the third season in a row.
With a pick in the top ten, you can predict that would have them hovering around 6 wins on the season. A 6-11 campaign for Dennis Allen would almost assuredly mean a new head coach would be at the top for the Saints in 2025.
Secondly, they would be taking a QB prospect with a lot of question marks.
Unless Ewers turns into a Heisman Trophy level passer in 2024, taking him as a prospect with a top ten pick seems rather hefty at the moment. Not to mention, if he does elevate to an elite status as an NFL prospect, he would not make it to the tenth pick in the draft.
In the 2025 draft class, the QB position is extremely sparse and unproven. Ewers' development would cannon ball him into top pick discussions. For New Orleans, he probably would not be on the board - if he finds a ton of success in the upcoming season for Texas.
All in all, it is a pick that does make sense from a roster perspective, but it is much too risky for the Saints as of now. Luckily, it will be a lot clearer for New Orleans and the rest of the NFL by next April.
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