Saints trade up to pick LSU star Malik Nabers in this 2024 mock draft

Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) reacts after a first down against the Texas A&M Aggies during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints have been quiet in the weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL draft. Too quiet. Always-aggressive general manager Mickey Loomis is known for trading up in the draft and that’s a strategy we could see again in just a week. But who would they trade up for, and which teams could look to move back?

This exact scenario was explored in a collaborative mock draft between ESPN’s Field Yates and NFL Network’s Peter Schrager, who had the Saints trading up to pick Malik Nabers out of LSU. The playmaking wide receiver is a rare talent, and Yates sees him being a big-time Michael Thomas replacement for New Orleans. He has the Tennessee Titans trading out of the top-10 in a move down with the Saints, angling for more draft picks and the strength of the draft class at offensive tackle to help them improve.

“I think,” Yates began, “I think Tennessee is a compelling trade-down team. We’re going to have some fun here. This is going to be tough to do because they have paid premiums recently, but I’m having the New Orleans Saints trade up here. I do think the Saints have a desperate need at offensive tackle, they say ‘Hey let’s address that in Round 2.'”

Schrager interjected, “Let’s just say it’s a swap of 7 and 14, and we’ll go future first rounder (going from New Orleans to Tennessee) or something like that.”

“That sounds right to me. Malik Nabers, off the board. He stays home, New Orleans. They do need a wide receiver here. Their offseason investments (are) relatively modest. Cedrick Wilson Jr. on a two-year deal, his contract expired in Miami. I think New Orleans is a sneaky wide receiver team and this right here would be as good as it gets on the wide receiver front. We’re having some fun here.”

Schrager loved the move to pair Nabers with Chris Olave, pointing out that the Saints could leapfrog the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 to get Nabers. Former Saints executive Terry Fontenot is now the Falcons’ general manager and he’s invested a ton of draft picks on offense, and Nabers could continue that trend.

The Saints could use more firepower at wide receiver, but their biggest need is clearly the offensive line. This draft class is deep enough to where they could find a good blocker in the second round, but neglecting the position like this would almost force their hand into signing a veteran like Mekhi Becton in free agency after the draft.

Trevor Penning needs real competition for that job. New Orleans needs a real backup plan in case Ryan Ramczyk can’t play this year. If they can’t reinforce either tackle spot before the draft, they’ll have to make a move at the expense of other team needs on draft day. That would take a trade-up opportunity like this one, targeting a player like Nabers, off the table.

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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints trade up to pick LSU star Malik Nabers in this 2024 mock draft