[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image source=”featured_image” img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]We continue to roll out the first round NFL Draft grades for certain teams and the New Orleans Saints are next…
New Orleans Saints – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Chris Olave was my 2nd overall receiver in this draft class. He has great hands and is a smooth route runner with high top-end speed. He’s going to an organization that has a great track record with receivers, as well as an offense that tends to get the ball to its star players. New Orleans is a great landing spot for this young receiver. There won’t be an unreal amount of pressure for him to be great early on either as the Saints already have Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas. I do think that the Saints could have targeted a different position of need, like safety, however in a league that requires multiple elite offensive weapons in order to win it all, this is a pick of a team that wants to win games now.
Grade: A-
New Orleans Saints – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Penning really began to rocket up draft boards after a strong showing at the senior bowl. To be honest, I’m not really a big fan of this pick. He does fit that, “Big, Mean, Nasty,” mantra that scouts look for, but he has other issues I think will need to be cleaned up in order to work out. In college, he had a tendency to commit holds quite frequently, as well as playing through the whistle a little too much sometimes. These are discipline issues a can be coached out of a player. There will be a steep learning curve as well, as the Missouri Valley Conference doesn’t provide the same high level of competition that power 5 school does. Lots of developmental potential here, but it may take some time to get there.
Grade: C[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
