New Orleans Saints Select QB Lamar Jackson in Fanrag Sports Mock Draft
It is the season of mock drafts, and Fanrag Sports Network has released their pre-combine which has the New Orleans Saints selecting their QB of the future with the 27th overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Make no mistake about it, they don’t believe Drew Brees to be signing somewhere else this offseason. In fact, that’s part of the rationale behind the Saints selecting Louisville QB Lamar Jackson in the first round.
Hear me out: Lamar has shown strong progression with his downfield passing. Yes, there’s still some development and consistency with his footwork that are needed, but that’s why a landing spot here in New Orleans is so clutch. He’ll have time as Drew Brees makes another run or two at a second Lombardi (he’s not going anywhere). Jackson has the arm to make full use of Michael Thomas and would enjoy the first good offensive line he’s had since high school.
It’s honestly not the most absurd thing to read once you think about it. Josh Rosen, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold were all well off the board by the time the Saints were on the clock in this hypothetical, and Jackson would be one of the clear top QBs remaining on the board at pick #27. I’m not saying it’s a guarantee that Saints go the QB route, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see it happen at this point either.
Of note, Baker Mayfield went to the Buffalo Bills 5th overall as the third QB off the board behind Rosen and Darnold. Penn State LB Roquan Smith went to the 49ers 9th overall under the assumption San Francisco is looking to move past 2017 first round pick, LB Reuben Foster.