The New Orleans Saints’ season is over and their spot in the draft’s first round is decided. That means it is time to start the season that his been more fun to watch the last couple of season, it’s time for mock drafts!
The goal for this draft is pretty clear for the Saints: address the trenches. They have players getting old or looking lost out there at times and need to bring in some fresh meat on both sides of the ball. There are other spots that could be addressed, but that should be the key. How the board falls could also really affect how the Saints look to attack this draft. And of course it all kicks off after free agency, giving New Orleans an opportunity to address their needs sooner.
Here is a starting point of expectations for this year with a full 7-round Saints mock draft:
Round 1, Pick 14: DE Jared Verse, Florida State
If they Saints draft Verse and still can’t get him to develop into a solid pass-rusher in the NFL, they should just stop drafting the position entirely. He matches a lot of what the Saints have liked in the past, while also looking as ready to perform as anyone they have drafted recently. The other option for this pick would be an offensive tackle, but there aren’t any experienced left tackles available. Ramczyk’s knee injury could force them to explore right tackle as well, but for now Verse is as good of a prospect as they’ve gone after in a while.
Round 2, Pick 45 (via Denver Broncos): OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Suamataia is an ultra-athlete left tackle (who has also played at a high level on the right side) that has the makings of an elite player at the next level. He has all of the tools at his disposal, but does need to refine his game a little bit. The way the board falls, this is the highest-upside and best available left tackle for them. He is expected to be a big riser in the pre-draft process.
Round 5, Pick 148: IOL Beaux Limmer, Arkansas
It’s no secret that the Saints need to address the trenches in this draft on both sides of the ball. Here we have them going with another offensive lineman. Limmer is an experienced and versatile option that has spent time at all three interior positions for Arkansas. He is a good, not great player that could find himself with a long career in the NFL if he develops well. Seems like the kind of player the Saints tend to keep around on the interior.
Round 5, Pick 166 (projected compensatory): WR Brendan Rice, USC
It took a few years for Rice to really break out, but he had a stellar senior year as a big-bodied weapon for Caleb Williams. He would be a nice compliment to the play styles of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and A.T. Perry. Rice is less of a run-after-catch guy than he would be a reliable option for Carr to secure first downs and gain the yards they need. Of course, he’s also the son of Jerry Rice.
Round 5, Pick 168 (projected compensatory): DL Evan Anderson, Florida Atlanta
Anderson, 6’3 and 356-pounds, is a large and violent defender that has some sneaky athleticism to him. He did have a career-high 3.5 sacks this season, but projects as more of a guy that will clog running lanes in the NFL. He and Bryan Bresee could be a nightmare interior one day.
Round 5, Pick 173 (projected compensatory): TE Jaheim Bell, Florida State
Bell has been hard for college offensive coordinators to figure out how to use, but has enough versatility and upside that the Saints should give him a shot to fill the need of a reliable option in the passing game at tight end. He spent time at multiple spots in the offense and is similarly sized to Juwan Johnson coming out of college.
Round 6, Pick 191: LB Michael Barrett, Michigan
Barrett is an experienced linebacker that has been pretty consistent for a few years. He’s on the smaller side, which is why he isn’t expected to be drafted that high, but as the skills that the Saints look for in their linebackers. He has capable athleticism and nice instincts at the linebacker spot.
Round 6, Pick 200 (via Philadelphia Eagles): RT Roger Rosengarten, Washington
Rowengarten started for two years at right tackle for the Huskies. He’s more athletic than he is strong in protection, but does have an aggressive streak to him. Bonus points for making me think of the movie Rookie of the Year.
Round 7, Pick 229 (via Denver Broncos): RB Jaden Shirden, Monmouth
Shirden is smaller than the Saints like at running back (listed at 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds) but he brings big-play ability they’re missing out of the backfield. He’s had 49 carries of 15-plus yards the last two years at Monmouth while totaling 3,691 rushing yards and 26 touchdown runs in his college career. He’s dominated his level of competition and could have enough juice to keep it going at the pro level.
Recapping our draft
- Round 1, Pick 14: DE Jared Verse, Florida State
- Round 2, Pick 45: OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
- Round 5, Pick 148: IOL Beaux Limmer, Arkansas
- Round 5, Pick 166: WR Brendan Rice, USC
- Round 5, Pick 168: DL Evan Anderson, Florida Atlanta
- Round 5, Pick 173: TE Jaheim Bell, Florida State
- Round 6, Pick 191: LB Michael Barrett, Michigan
- Round 6, Pick 200: RT Roger Rosengarten, Washington
- Round 7, Pick 229: RB Jaden Shirden, Monmouth
We’ve gotten better in the trenches and added some weapons offensively. With an aging roster and few early-round picks, the Saints will need to identify prospects available in the later rounds who have a high talent floor and can help out right away. Waiting for unproven talents to develop into players who can dress on Sundays isn’t the move given the state of this team.
