In a recent ESPN mock draft, the Saints selected an under-the-radar talent early on.
There are numerous excellent talents flying under the radar ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, and ESPN predicts the New Orleans Saints will take one early.
Every year, leading up to the NFL Draft, all of the attention is focused on the top prospects. More specifically, quarterbacks and receivers typically dominate pre-draft discussions. However, approximately 200 players will be chosen throughout the course of the three-day, seven-round tournament. Many of those players will be underappreciated but highly talented.
In a recent mock draft, one analyst predicted that one of these under-the-radar players might hear their name called quite early. ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid recently released his final 2024 mock draft, and in the second round, Reid predicted that the New Orleans Saints would take Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland.
In a recent mock selection, the Saints selected Marshawn Kneeland, whom Reid described as “one of the fastest-rising prospects on the board.” The Western Michigan defense performed well at both the Senior Bowl and the combine, measuring 6-foot-3, 267 pounds and blazing a 4.75-second 40-yard dash. He also played four years in college, accumulating 12.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.
Jordan Reid pointed out that last season, the Saints recorded only 34 sacks as a team, ranking 28th in the league. That just will not suffice if a team wishes to compete for the Super Bowl. That’s why New Orleans hired veteran defensive end Chase Young this offseason, and Reid believes a rookie edge defender might be added to the mix.
It will be fascinating to see if the Saints intend to use that method. With New Orleans likely selecting an offensive tackle in the first round, the team may go in a variety of routes in round two. The Saints could seek for receivers, defensive linemen, edge and interior players, or another offensive lineman.
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