New Orleans Saints trade up to No. 11, bolster receiving corps by selecting Ohio State's Chris Olave
The New Orleans Saints, fittingly, became the first team to trade up in this year's NFL draft by moving up from No. 16 to No. 11 to select Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave on Thursday.
The Washington Commanders received a third-round pick (No. 98) and a fourth-round selection (No. 120) while moving down five spots.
The Saints have now traded up a staggering 24 times in the past 16 drafts, including their move earlier this month to acquire the 16th pick from the Philadelphia Eagles.
"Chris was a guy that we coveted from the very beginning of this draft process," Saints coach Dennis Allen said.
"And then certainly as the draft progressed we felt like, 'Ahh, there could be a run on these receivers here pretty soon.'
The Saints were correct. A total of six receivers wound up being selected between picks 10 and 18.
"I thought there were some good receivers in this draft," Allen said. "But he's the one guy that I felt like, 'Man I know exactly what I'm getting in this player.'