It’s mock draft season, and Pro Football Focus’ Nathan Jahnke is doing an interesting exercise. He just did a mock draft with no trades, and every team had to draft an offensive skill player. So, no offensive linemen and no defenders.
Jahnke also excluded Travis Hunter under the assumption he would play primarily defense as a professional.
With only offensive playmakers on the board, the New Orleans Saints landed on Jalen Milroe to lead Kellen Moore’s offense. They chose to pass on Omarion Hampton and Jaxson Dart in favor of Milroe.
Passing on Hampton could simply be about how Jahnke views the Saints’ need at running back. With Dart and Milroe both being quarterbacks, however, this is where it gets interesting.
Choosing Milroe over Dart seems to come down to mobility. Milroe is a great athlete who Jahnke compares to Jalen Hurts. Moore’s experience with Hurts isn’t just a benefit to the Saints.
The biggest benefactor may be Milroe himself. Jahnke believes the Saints “could be the best landing spot for Milroe to have a long and productive career.”
The Saints aren’t likely to take a quarterback in the first round when the real draft rolls around, but this hypothetical highlights potential targets in Day 2.