
All signs point to the New Orleans saints addressing their defensive line in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, and that’s exactly what ESPN’s Mel Kiper predicted in his final mock draft. Kiper likes the Saints to select Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mazi Smith at the end of Round 1 on Thursday night, writing:
Smith is getting some first-round buzz because he’s the best run-stuffer in this class. At 6-foot-3, 323 pounds, he can plug a hole. Teams don’t always prefer tackles with limited pass-rushing upside, but he’d fill a need in New Orleans. I moved Smith to No. 30 overall on my Big Board.