Such A MASSIVE Night for Sports in New Orleans!
Today is the biggest day of sports for New Orleans since the 2018 NFC Title Game tragedy. The Saints have two 1st round picks in the NFL Draft and the Pelicans host the Suns in Game 6 trying to fight off elimination trailing 3-2 in the series.
Let's dive right into it, shall we?
Let's start with the Saints. The winds of change are blowing this offseason with Sean Payton finally deciding to step down as head coach. It is going to feel very odd not seeing him on the sideline this fall after he has been there since 2006. DC Dennis Allen takes over and the winning culture remains in place.
The Saints re-signed Jameis Winston to start at QB after his Halloween ACL injury prematurely ended his 2021 season. The Saints also signed Andy Dalton to be the back up and Taysom Hill will focus on TE.
New Orleans traded next year's 1st round pick to get the Eagles 1st rounder tonight. They have the 16th & 19th picks. With OT Terron Armstead departing for big bucks in Miami, I expect the Saints to look at OT and possibly WR. Lord knows the Saints need another playmaker opposite the returning Michael Thomas in the worst way! There was only one 100 yard game by a WR last season. In the modern NFL, that is unheard of.
There has been speculation about the Saints taking a QB with one of their 1st rounders but I just cannot see it. The Saints have not drafted a 1st round QB since 1971! I believe they are in win now mode and are rolling with Jameis. If my guy Ole Miss QB Matt Corral fell to the 2nd round, I would be all for it.
This is such a loaded WR class. I would be happy with the Saints taking Wilson or Olave from Ohio State, Burks from Arkansas or Dotson from Penn State. I honestly think they cannot go wrong with any of these guys. Rookie WRs are making huge impacts on the NFL immediately these days too (see JA'Mar Chase & Justin Jefferson). And we all know the Saints' affinity for taking Ohio State players.....
Barstool Sports senior draft analyst Steven Cheah has the Saints picking OT Trevor Penning at 16 & WR Traylon Burks at 19. I am not sure what to think of Penning coming out of Northern Iowa. The Saints do love to draft linemen early and are not afraid of taking guys off the beaten path so I could see it. Only time will tell....
Steven Cheah and I will be hosting a Twitter Spaces at 5 EST to preview the 1st round of the draft.
Join Barstool Sports for the En Eff El Draft Show tonight at 8 EST hosted by Brandon Walker, Steven Cheah and Rone. Megan Makin' Money and I will be on to analyze the Saints picks.
The Pelicans host the Suns in Game 6 in The Blender trailing 3-2 after the 112-97 Game 5 loss in Phoenix Tuesday night. I am FAR from counting the Pels out ESP in the rowdy home court atmosphere in New Orleans. They are currently at 2.5 point home dog on the Barstool Sportsbook.
New Orleans really needs a better game out of CJ McCollum who has gone cold recently. The Suns will once again be playing without Devin Booker who is out with a hamstring injury. If the Pels do force Game 7, I would not be surprised to see Booker come back on Saturday in Phoenix. That is a problem I hope to the Pels deal with on Saturday. This has been a magical run into the playoffs that has captivated New Orleans. I do not want it to end!
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