Our predictions: Who will the Saints pick at No. 9? Our staff makes their best guesses

We are in the final countdown to the draft, and it’s time to stop with the simulations, put pen to paper and make predictions that at least some of us will pretend we never made.

Here goes nothing…

Trip: OT Kelvin Banks, Texas

I genuinely think a trade down is in play here for the first time in 18 years. But if they have a top-10 grade on a left tackle or a defensive end, I wouldn’t fault them for staying put. Those are cornerstone positions that are harder to fill later in drafts or in free agency.

John Hendrix: Banks

Taking an offensive lineman isn’t going to be a popular pick, but it’s a necessary and safe one for Kellen Moore's first selection. Trevor Penning is in the final year of his deal, and the Saints have a one-year rental at left guard right now. I also get the sense Will Campbell and Armand Membou might be off the board before this pick. Moore starts building his brand of team in the trenches with Kelvin Banks Jr., getting a consistent and versatile tackle solution who could also play guard. He excels in run-blocking and has a good combination of technique, quickness, and athleticism.

Kevin Washington: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

If Ashton Jeanty is on the board, he could be the pick, but I’m going with Warren. He’s a big tight end who offers a lot of formation diversity as both a blocker and a receiver. He could prove to be a good YAC player, given that Penn State has a wildcat package for him and he’s effective with the ball in his hands. He’ll also match up well with the physicality of the NFL game. Warren would give the Saints a foundational piece to begin rebuilding their offense.

Brandon Thomas: Warren

As much as I want the Saints to select Shedeur Sanders, the likelihood of that pick at No. 9 is low. I think the Saints need to address one of their many needs and add a pass catcher like Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Warren's versatility and ability to make contested catches would be a much-needed upgrade for the Saints. Even with the uncertainty at quarterback, Warren, like Brock Bowers last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, can be a difference maker on offense, no matter who’s throwing him the ball.

Nick Underhill: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

Maybe I’m crazy. Nobody has talked about Conerly as a top-10 prospect, but my job isn’t to try to anticipate what everyone else thinks or to think like Mel Kiper. My job is to try and think like the Saints. And there are a couple of things I think are true. 1.) I think they’re looking hard at offensive tackles. Kellen Moore has told us over and over that he believes that you build your offense from the line up. I’m going to listen to what he’s saying. 2.) I think the Saints really love athletes. I wouldn’t call Conerly an elite athlete, but his 10-yard split lines up with Terron Armstead, and he tested similarly in a bunch of different areas. I think he moves well and has some traits that would get you excited. Conerly has things he needs to get better at, but he looks like a Saints player to me — maybe more so than some of the other options at this position.

Really, this pick is more about going with the guy I think some teams have as the No. 2 tackle. There's a bigger Conerly vs. Banks debate within the league then there is in the media. And I've heard whispers about Armand Membou that I think will scare some teams away. If any of those concerns are real, I'm guessing this staff would know better than anyone considering Missouri's offensive coordinator is Kirby Moore.