Solid Starter
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State – Round 1 
In the days before the 2022 NFL Draft, we reported in the Hot Press that the Saints liked Olave, and I had them taking the Buckeyes speedster in my final mock draft. New Orleans was in need of more speed at receiver and a playmaker to go across from Michael Thomas. The team really missed Thomas in 2021, and did not have another playmaker to lead the passing attack. That changed when the Saints traded up to nab Olave with the 11th-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Olave was very polished over his two seasons of playing time at Ohio State, showing a well-rounded skill set and good technique. While Olave is not a burner like DeSean Jackson, Henry Ruggs or Will Fuller, Olave is fast and can run by defensive backs. He has the ability to challenge defenses over the top and is a threat to go vertical for a score on any reception.
Alongside being fast, Olave is a smooth route-runner who does not take extra steps and glides through the secondary with easy speed. Thanks to his route-running and quickness, Olave is constantly generating separation to get open for his quarterback. He shows good recognition and feel for defenders to find soft spots in the secondary.
Olave has superb body control along the sideline with the athleticism to adjust. The intelligence and polish shows up as Olave doesn’t quit on plays and is very good at breaking off routes to run to openings in order to help his scrambling quarterback.
Olave (6-1, 188) has a thinner build and does not have mismatch height or length. Hence, he may not be a true No. 1 receiver at the pro level. That being said, he could be a co-No. 1 depending on the matchup and should at least be one of the top No. 2 receivers in the league. Quickly in his pro career, Olave could emerge as a solid starter for New Orleans.
2021: Payton Turner
2020: Cesar Ruiz
2019: None: not enough picks
2018: Tre’quan Smith, WR
2017: Ryan Ramczyk, OT
2016: Sheldon Rankins, DT
2015: Hau-Oli Kikaha, LB
2014: Khairi Fortt, LB
2013: Kenny Vaccaro, S
Most Likely To Bust
Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee – Round 2 
The talent at the cornerback position had a dropoff in the 2022 NFL Draft, and it became apparent to teams around the league that there would be some reaches at cornerback. There is always a demand at the position, so corners get pushed up draft boards. Taylor was one of those reaches, with some other teams having him graded as a mid-rounder. While he ran fast in pre-draft workouts, Taylor did not show that speed in college. He was a tough and physical corner, but displayed some stiffness, and scouts were concerned about his ability to run the route and prevent separation.
Taylor landed in a good situation because he won’t have to be a No. 1 corner with Marshon Lattimore in house. Taylor could end up being a decent No. 2 or 3 cornerback, but he also might not pan out if he is consistently allowing receivers to get open. Of New Orleans’ early-round selections, Taylor has the largest bust potential.
2021: Ian Book, QB
2020: Zach Baun, LB
2019: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S
2018: Rick Leonard, OT
2017: Alex Anzalone, LB
2016: Vonn Bell, S
2015: Stephone Anthony, LB
2014: Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB
2013: Terron Armstead, OT
Potential Boom Pick
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa – Round 1 
The Saints had a big hole at left tackle after losing veteran Terran Armstead in free agency. That explains why they pulled off a trade with the Eagles to land a second first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to allow them to add a speed receiver and a replacement for Armstead. In the days before the 2022 NFL Draft, we reported in the Hot Press that the Saints liked Penning a lot, and they ended up nabbing him late in the top 20.
Penning is gifted pass blocker who combines length, athleticism, quickness and agility. Thanks to his sufficiently quick feet, the 6-foot-7, 325-pounder is able to get depth in his drop to take away the edge from speed rushers, and his long frame makes it hard for defenders to around him. Penning plays with good leverage to stop bull rushes, and he is able to bend at the knee. At times, Penning opens up his chest to much and is slow to adjust to moves to the inside or outside that he doesn’t anticipate. Thus, he is not a finished product and needs some developmental time. Coming from his lower level of competition, it could be in Penning and the Saints’ best interest to develop him as a backup for half a season before working him into the starting lineup.
In the ground game, Penning has some real nastiness to him. He can knock defenders out of their gaps and ride them around the field. He blocks through the whistle and is very physical at the point of attack, regularly planting defenders into the ground with serious force. Penning brings a bad attitude, violently pushing around defenders and challenging them to stay in their gaps. Penning is a bully on the field who fights hard and finishes off defenders with zero hesitation. He might get some penalties for being too physical, but he sets a nasty tone and opponents are in for a long day of getting beat on when they play against Penning. Penning is quick out of stance and can get to blocks on the second level, so that combined with his drive-block ability makes him a great fit for both zone and power-man schemes in the NFL.
Penning landed in an ideal situation with an excellent offensive line around him. Having those talents on the line will allow the team to help Penning by providing him more double-team help, if needed. The Saints have also been superb at developing offensive line talent, possessing a track record of success, including Armstead, Jermon Bushrod, Eric McCoy, Ryan Ramczyk and more. With Penning’s upside, New Orleans could turn him into a franchise left tackle and be set on the blind side for a long time to come.
2021: Paulson Adebo, CB
2020: Adam Trautman, TE
2019: Erik McCoy, C
2018: Marcus Davenport, DE
2017: Marshon Lattimore, CB
2016: Michael Thomas, WR
2015: Andrus Peat, OT
2014: Brandin Cooks, WR
2013: John Jenkins, DT
Future Depth Player
D’Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State – Round 2 
The Saints are set with their starting linebackers of Demario Davis and Pete Werner. They also have 2020 third-round pick Zack Baun behind those veterans and ready to replace Davis if he leaves after next season. Jackson could provide some quality depth as a backup linebacker and special teams player. While Jackson may not have the skill set to be a three-down starter, he could be a dependable backup linebacker for the Saints.
2021: Pete Werner, LB
2020: Tommy Stevens, QB
2019: Alize Mack, TE
2018: Natrell Jamerson, S
2017: Alvin Kamara, RB
2016: David Onyemata, DL
2015: Garrett Grayson, QB
2014: Ron Powell, OLB
2013: Kenny Stills, WR
Walt’s 2022 NFL Draft Grades:
11. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State – B+ Grade
The Saints surrendered third- and fourth-picks to move up, and it makes sense for them to do so. With two of the top four receivers flying off the board, New Orleans could not have waited until No. 16 to address the position. Olave fills a huge need and is one of the better players available, so I like this pick. I’m not a huge fan of the trade, but it had to be done.
19. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa – A- Grade
The Saints landed a nice bargain in Trevor Penning. There was some speculation that Trevor Penning would go as high as No. 9. I thought that was too rich for him, but the 13-17 range seemed right. Penning is a nice pick for the Saints, who desperately needed to replace the departed Terron Armstead.
49. Alontae Taylor, CB/S, Tennessee – B Grade
It’s a bit disappointing to see the Saints pass on a quarterback, but Alontae Taylor is a solid prospect who will fill a big need in the secondary. The only question is where, as Taylor is versatile enough to play corner and safety. I had him going around this range in my mock draft.
161. D’Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State – B+ Grade
The Saints were considering Quay Walker at No. 19, so this is better late than never for linebacker help that the team needed. D’Marco Jackson is a solid fifth-round prospect I’ve constantly had in this range, so this is a quality selection.
194. Jordan Jackson, DT, Air Force – B+ Grade
Jordan Jackson is an intriguing pick because he generated so much pressure in college. The problem is the level of competition, but perhaps he’ll be able to continue to thrive in the pros. I like this gamble, as there’s not much risk in the sixth round.
2022 NFL Draft Team Grade: A-. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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