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Hayden Hurst or Mike Gesicki? Recent mock drafts can’t make up their mind on which TE the Saints are likely to select 27th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Bleacher Report’s recent mock has the Saints selecting Gesicki out of Penn State.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees hasn’t had a reliable weapon at tight end since Benjamin Watson soared for 74 catches and 825 receiving yards in 2015.
They brought Watson back after signing him as a free agent. But he’s now 37 years old and missed all of 2016 due to an Achilles tear. The Saints need to bolster their tight end depth chart further to get the most out of Brees with whatever time is left in his career. Which is why they should target the position late in the first round and draft Mike Gesicki.
The bounding behemoth out of Penn State ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds while standing 6’6” and weighing 247 pounds. He also showcased his quick-twitch athleticism and leaping ability with a vertical jump of 41.5 inches.
His combination of speed and natural length led to nine touchdowns in 2017 and a second straight season with 500-plus receiving yards.
Other names of note:
QB Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) to the Denver Broncos 5th overall
WR Calvin Ridley (Alabama) to the Baltimore Ravens 16h overall
LB Rashaan Evans (Alabama) to the Pittsburgh Steelers 28th overall
TE Hayden Hurst (South Carolina) to the Jacksonville Jaguars 29th overall
Lamar Jackson was not selected in this mock.
Do you think the Saints prefer Gesicki over Hurst? Would the Saints select either if Rashaan Evans is still available? What about Lamar Jackson? Let us know in the comments. Send me presents.