JACKSON: Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor a fit for the Saints offense

By Ross Jackson 

While Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan dominates the top of his position in this year’s NFL Draft, there are other options that check similar boxes. Recently, we highlighted Iowa State wideout Jayden Higgins as an intriguing alternative. But another hails from the west coast in Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor.

The Saints added speedy wideout Brandin Cooks to their wide receiver room which boasts elite speed. Receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed bring their own dynamics to the field as well, with speed being among them. 

Ayomanor would add a physical presence that still needs some development but that could complement the explosive nature of the receiver room as presently constructed while providing an additional speed factor himself.

Elic Ayomanor has a knack for making acrobatic catches or making defenders look silly. Will quickly produce better as a pro once he gets with a competent offense and QB pic.twitter.com/5JO3hLnT3X

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 2, 2025

Why Ayomanor is a Good Prospect

At 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, Ayomanor is every NFL team’s dream at wide receiver. Big, physical, and fast, the wide receiver has the blend of traits that every club covets and that the Saints are in need of in their offense.

He runs good routes, understanding how to use his leverage to win against defenders in the short and intermediate areas in particular. He’s got some great run blocking reps on tape, which Saints head coach Kellen Moore is bound to love. He has the aggressive “that’s my ball” mentality the best wideouts in the league possess along with the dedication and work ethic needed to maximize his game once he makes it to the pros.

Ayomanor had a brilliant game in 2023 against one of college football’s best cornerbacks, Colorado’s Travis Hunter where he caught 13 passes for 294 receiving yards and a trio of touchdown receptions. When he’s called upon to take over a game, he’s shown a propensity to arrive.

The biggest “I’m HIM” game of any 2025 prospect:
Elic Ayomanor’s 13/294/3 game vs. Travis Hunter and Colorado

Shows off his full skillset – release package, early separation, route deception, contested catches & YAC ability

Massive upside as lead X. Likely round 2 pick. pic.twitter.com/4JNEr1ZAf1

— Dynasty Zoltan (@DynastyZoltanFF) March 31, 2025

If selected by the Saints, his six drops in each of the last two seasons will need some attention from wide receivers coach Keith Williams. But if he can improve his ball tracking and eliminate some of the drops, he’ll be a core contributor during his rookie contract.

Ayomanor’s Offseason Testing Results

• 40-yard-dash: 4.44 seconds
• Vertical: 38.5 inches
• Broad jump: 10-foot-7
• Bench: 15 reps
• RAS: 9.71

Ayomanor’s Fit With the Saints

The Stanford Cardinal would be the much-needed big-bodied wideout New Orleans could deploy as their quintessential X-receiver. He could be the split end wide out that lines up on the weakside of the offense all by himself in 3×1 formations that looks to dominate any one-on-one opportunities at the line of scrimmage while the field-stretching options look to attack the deep areas of the defense. 

If the Saints do indeed have a young passer under center, Ayomanor would provide a consistent threat in the short and intermediate areas. He could be a bit of a safety blanker underneath in the quick passing game as well. That mold of wideout would be pivotal to building the rhythm of an early-career passer.

2024 Stats

• 63 receptions
• 831 receiving yards
• Six receiving touchdowns

Draft Projection

Ayomanor is expected to be a day two draft pick. That puts the Saints in range for him with the No. 40 overall pick in the second round. In the unlikely event that he falls to the third, New Orleans could get another shot at him at pick No. 71. If they like him enough to make sure they get him, the second round is a sensible swing to take, especially if they address a different need in the first.

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