New Orleans Saints: Which 2020 draft pick has the biggest upside?
The New Orleans Saints are hoping all four of their 2020 draft picks are worth their price tag. Which one could be the biggest surprise, though?
What the New Orleans Saints were planning to do in the 2020 NFL Draft was a mystery. Of course, as the team had very few picks, many believed they’d do all they could to hang onto those selections. Instead, they traded up on multiple occasions.
New Orleans initially had five picks going into the draft but ended up only selecting four players. Furthermore, they didn’t have a second-round pick but still sent away all of their Day 3 selections before trading a 2021 pick to get one seventh-rounder in the fold.
But as we look at the draft class, who from the Saints’ four selections has the most upside? This isn’t all about draft position but rather which player among Cesar Ruiz, Zack Baun, Adam Trautman and Tommy Stevens will make an impact and be the best of the bunch. Ruiz, taken at No. 24 overall, obviously appears ready to see the field soon given where he was drafted. But what about after him?
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In the case of Baun, the Wisconsin product was an easy pick for the Saints after losing A.J. Klein to the Buffalo Bills. That’s why it’s no surprise the team jumped on Baun when they saw he was available. Both players are about the same size and while Baun lacks experience, he’ll have plenty of time to learn until the season starts. He’s an athletic and speedy guy which is exactly what the Saints need.
Next, the Saints drafted Trautman. The tight end position has long since been something the team has struggled with so it was a smart move. With the Saints unclear on how much longer Jared Cook will stick around, it was the right time. Trautman might need more time to adjust to the NFL but, hopefully, he’ll end up being a solid fit. If so, Trautman is going to be a steal considering he’s the first Dayton player to be drafted in over 40 years.
Last but not least is Tommy Stevens out of Mississippi State, easily the biggest question mark of the group. He seems like another Taysom Hill-type player but the team just re-signed Hill this offseason. Thus, it’s just terribly confusing to see why the Saints made this selection.
Talking about which player has the biggest upside, though, Trautman is the one who stands out. Baun and Stevens could make an impact, particularly the former as he could play his way into becoming the starter.
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However, the young tight end could be a coup for the Saints. He made need some adjustment to the higher level of competition but he’s a hard worker and showed a ton of talent. If he can transition to the NFL, the tools are there for him to answer a huge need for the Saints.