A quarterback is the next logical draft choice for the Saints

By Ed Daniels, Sports

On Sunday, the Saints play a team that is starting over, especially at quarterback.

Like the Pittsburgh Steelers, is it time for the Saints to go down that road? That is, draft a young quarterback, put that player on the field and then live with results?

In other words, play the long game?

In the 2022 draft, the Saints selected offensive tackle Trevor Penning with the 19th selection. One pick later, the Steelers chose quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is struggling for a two-win team.

Pickett is averaging 5.8 yards per pass attempt and has thrown only two touchdown passes against eight interceptions.

And, the Steelers did Pickett no favors by dealing the club’s most productive receiver, Chase Claypool, to the Bears for a second-round pick at the trade deadline.

The Steelers are starting over.

In this year’s draft, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis sent a different message. The Saints added a first-round pick in a trade with Philadelphia, then moved up on draft night to select wide receiver Chris Olave.

Through the first half of the season, Olave was averaging almost 15 yards a reception.

The Saints’ 2022 draft could yield three starters.

Penning is a player the Saints are very high on but who has yet to play a down after toe surgery.

Second-round pick cornerback Alontae Taylor has been a fast riser in the Saints secondary.

So, what to do about the quarterback?

The Saints could bring back Andy Dalton for another season. Whether Dalton is a starter or a backup, his return makes sense.

Dalton turned 35 in late October and seems to be a great fit in the Saints organization. He has played solidly.

In his first five games, Dalton averaged 7.3 yards a pass attempt. That is his best since 2016.

The Saints currently do not have a first-round pick in the 2023 draft. But, that could change if former head coach Sean Payton decides to return to coaching next season.

The Saints do not have to select in the top 10 to get their quarterback of the future.

In 2001, Drew Brees was the first pick of the second round for the San Diego Chargers.

Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, a candidate for NFL MVP, was the 53rd selection in the 2020 draft. In three seasons, his pass completion percentage has jumped from 52% to more than 68%.

Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, who the Saints played Monday night, is a free agent at the end of the season. Jackson was the last pick of the first round by the Ravens in 2018.

The Saints also could try to rehab a veteran quarterback. The Seattle Seahawks did it with Geno Smith, who has been superb in 2022. When the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson, they gave the job to Smith, who is completing 73% of his throws for a 6-3 Seattle team that might be the NFL’s biggest surprise.

Handing the job to a rookie is always dicey. And, the beginnings can be downright painful. Soon, the Saints have to make that critical decision for the franchise.

Just for the record, since Brees retired, the Saints were 12-13 heading into Monday night’s game against Baltimore.

In Brees’ last three seasons, the Saints lost 10 regular-season games.

Ed Daniels is sports director at ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].