In his first mock draft, Bucky Brooks has the Saints taking on offensive lineman.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com released his first mock draft for the 2024 offseason, and he projects that the New Orleans Saints will select Alabama right lineman JC Latham in the first round, as is widely expected.
Because of their ambiguity at offensive tackle, the Saints might select a different player in the first round, according to Brooks. “Latham is an enormous brawler who can punish defenders in the run game with his strength, power, and length.”
Although Latham was the nation’s best left tackle prospect in high school, he has only played on the right side of the ball at Alabama (playing around 100 snaps at guard in his first year before switching to tackle full-time). It is likely that he will switch back to the left side in the NFL.
He might be useful to the Saints at either position. Ryan Ramczyk has struggled greatly with a degenerative knee issue, but he is expected to make a comeback and start at right tackle. The Saints can’t expect Trevor Penning to walk away with the left tackle position, but he will have another chance to win it and keep it down. It would also be important to find out whether Latham is willing to play guard inside. No matter where he lines up, a top pick like Latham might be very beneficial to New Orleans given their offensive line’s recent collapse.
