Daniel Jeremiah believes New Orleans moves up from pick eight
It is draftmas eve. The mock drafts are finished by people on the outside looking in on teams and their situations. The mock drafts that come out today and into tomorrow from certain people carry more weight because they're completed with intel from franchises. Now, it certainly doesn't mean that anyone predicting a pick will be 100 percent correct, but the fact remains that this is the information that teams want out there for whatever reason.
The Raiders are locked in with Fernando Mendoza with the first pick. The draft truly starts at pick two with the New York Jets.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network's draft analyst, just released his latest mock and believes the Jets will have a tough time deciding between David Bailey and Arvell Reese. The Jets eventually land on Bailey.
"The debate continues here: Bailey or Ohio State’s Arvell Reese? I’m going with Bailey as the more refined player with the more defined role. Pairing him with Will McDonald IV gives the Jets two fastballs off the edge, mirroring the team GM Darren Mougey previously worked for in Denver."
What about the New Orleans Saints? While everyone has been locked in on a receiver for New Orleans or an EDGE rusher, Jeremiah is predicting a trade up to number three with the Arizona Cardinals.
Jeremiah believes the move is for Arvell Reese, and if Arizona stays put, they'll draft Jeremiyah Love.
"If the Cardinals stay put at No. 3, I think Jeremiyah Love is the pick. If they are offered a 2027 first-round pick to trade down, that’s going to be a tough deal for them to pass on. So, they take it in this scenario. The Saints have made 25 draft trades since 2008. They traded up in all 25 instances. Assistant GM Jeff Ireland was with the Cowboys when they drafted Pro Football Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware, so he’s aware of the difference an elite pass rusher can make. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley might be reminded of a player he’s coached at multiple spots in his career, 2016 first-round pick Leonard Floyd."
It is a very interesting stat that New Orleans has traded 25 times during a draft, and each instance was a trade-up. The 2027 first-round picks are extremely valuable with the incoming class of prospects. It could end up being a later first-round pick if New Orleans performs well this season, but it is still extremely valuable.