Canal Street Chronicles
First mock draft of the year has New Orleans grabbing some big-name players
Trade: Pick #9 to San Francisco for picks #11 and #99 in the 2025 NFL Draft
We start with a slight trade down to pick up an extra 3rd round pick from the 49ers. The New Orleans Saints need a lot of help at pass rusher, as their top sack getter last year was Bryan Bresee who got 7.5 from the defensive tackle position. Georgia linebacker Mykel Williams is built on nearly the same frame as fellow Bulldog and #1 overall pick Travon Walker at 6’5” and 265 pounds. His sack total in college, like Walker, is not eye-popping, as his career high for a single season is just 5 which he got this year, despite missing three games to start the season. The upside Williams has is huge given his athleticism and measurables, and the Saints would give him a great opportunity to grow into a role as a dominant pass rusher.
Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin, Jr. led the FBS in receiving yards and receptions in 2024, breaking the single season record for a TE in both categories. He had eight games of at least 125 yards and caught 6+ passes in all but one. Fannin has great hands (just 2 drops in 171 targets in his career) and is a matchup nightmare once he gets in the open field. He may need to add a bit of weight/muscle to deal with more physical coverages in the NFL, but in the right scheme he is a potential game changer at tight end. Also, if you’re worried about the level of competition at Bowling Green, Fannin, Jr. caught 11 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown against Penn State, and 8 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M, both of which were one possession games.
Jay Higgins is a two-time All-American middle linebacker who has been the leader of one of the best defenses in the country at Iowa over the last two seasons. He is a natural run defender with great instincts and has improved greatly against the pass, intercepting 4 passes this year compared to just 1 in 2023. He has good size at 6’2” and 232 pounds but is not as athletically gifted as some other linebackers in the draft. Despite this, his natural talent, experience, and feel for the position leave me with little worry about his translation to the next level. He would be a great heir apparent to Demario Davis should the Saints draft him.
Cam Skattebo is certainly a player who definitely does not lack self-confidence. The most productive running back in college football behind Ashton Jeanty only got better as the season went...
