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NFL mock draft: Don’t mess with Texas

By Brad Weiss

Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the organized team activities at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the organized team activities at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patrick Mahomes II

Quarterback, Tyler, Texas

The New Orleans Saints finished outside of the playoffs once again in 2017, and head coach Sean Payton heads into the 2018 NFL Draft on the hot seat. To make matters worse, Payton had to watch his franchise quarterback get selected first overall to the New York Jets. With their first round pick, the Saints picked up their new franchise quarterback, who heads to the Bayou ready to start from Day One.

In 2017, quarterback Patrick Mahomes II spent the entire season working behind Alex Smith. Smith’s veteran leadership will prove extremely valuable for Mahomes, who will pilot a Saints offense that saw Michael Thomas become a star in 2017. There is no doubt that Mahomes will have his growing pains in Year One, but New Orleans will be able to hand the keys to the organization off to a very good young quarterback.

For Payton, this could be his last chance at a winner, so expect him to unleash Mahomes in a big way. Mahomes is blessed with arguably the strongest arm in the NFL, and with deep threats available to him, he should be able to light up the Superdome. The Saints have gotten better on both sides of the ball, and with veteran Mark Ingram behind Mahomes on offense, he will have the security blanket  his going to need in his first season as a starter.

It will certainly be an exciting season in New Orleans in 2018, as the team has some solid young players on both sides of the ball. Expect Thomas to eclipse the 1,300-yard mark, and if Alvin Kamara takes a big leap forward in his second season, he and Ingram should prove to be a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield.

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