Here’s an in-depth look at the 2023 NFL draft from ESPN’s Jordan Reid, who put together a seven-round mock draft with projections for all 32 teams — including the New Orleans Saints, who added great value with several of their early-round picks scored.
The Saints aren’t the easiest team to project for. They have some quirky design habits and unique team requirements, and an established core of talent that make it difficult for newcomers to carve out a role right away. But Reid managed to connect them with some players who could help them a lot in 2023. Here’s a look at each of the Saints picks from his extensive mock draft:
Round 1, pick 29: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
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Mayer has been a popular choice for the Saints in recent mock drafts as the thin free agent market is at a tight end and the team needs the position as Adam Trautman hasn’t developed as hoped in three years. Here’s what Reid wrote about the match:
Derek Carr is the Saints’ new quarterback, but he needs more help around him. He’s a passer known for often tucking in his tight ends, so adding a security blanket would help. Mayer has the potential to make an immediate contribution as a run blocker and pass catcher. He has the potential to be a key target in midfield given his ability to drive a varied track tree. He had 138 catches and 16 points in his last two collegiate seasons.
Round 2, pick 40: DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
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Smith is a wrecking ball in the middle of the defensive line, and it’s very easy to see that he fits in with New Orleans. He’s consistently pressured quarterbacks for Michigan for the past two years while putting together an entire clinic of quality run-defense tape. Reid’s opinion:
The Saints let David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle go free and brought in Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd as replacements. Still, they could use another priority pick for a defensive tackle. Smith is the best run stuffer in this class. Despite his lack of pass-rush production — he had a sack last season — he improved throughout the 2022 season. In a multi-front system, Smith would quickly become a key contributor.
The story goes on
Round 3, Pick 71: OL Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
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Both Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz could be free agents by this time next year, so it’s worth investing in a potential backup plan for at least one of them. Mauch has played mostly left tackle for the Bison, but he’s done well as a guard in the pre-draft process, where his great movement speed would be more beneficial as a draw blocker, while his limited length in tight quarters would be minimized. Reid wrote of the election:
The left defense continues to worry the Saints with Andrus Peat unable to stay on the field due to injuries. Mauch would immediately provide competition here as he can play all five positions up front.
Round 4, Pick 115: WR Tank Dell, Houston
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Here’s a misstep. Dell doesn’t meet the athletic thresholds the Saints favor in receiver — he’s barely over NFL height thresholds at 5ft 8, 165lbs and no elite speed to make up for that (after timing the 40-yard dash ). 4.49 seconds; someone in his weight class should measure in the 4.3 seconds). But Dell has been prolific with back-to-back 1,300-yard seasons and 34 career touchdown catches. Can this be carried over to the NFL?
Round 5, pick 146: RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma
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Gray has been one of the nation’s leading rushers for the Sooners this season, using his breakaway speed to post a personal best of 58 missed tackles and 44 carries from 10 yards or more. He is competent enough to be handed with 101 career receptions and 127 snaps in passport protection. If Alvin Kamara misses time with a long suspension (as might be expected), Gray makes a lot of sense at this point in the draft as a backup for Jamaal Williams.
Round 5, Pick 165: DE Tavius Robinson, Ole Miss
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Robinson is right on the edge of the Saints’ notoriously strict standards along the defensive line, but he should be able to add more muscle to his 257-pound frame at 6-foot-6 with 33.75-inch arms. The Saints want their defensive ends to weigh at least about 270 pounds. Robinson managed a career-high 6 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 2022 and has progressed through the rotation behind Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Payton Turner.
Round 7, pick 227: QB Stetson Bennett, Georgia
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The Saints probably wouldn’t call up Bennett because of his below-average height (5’11 and 192 pounds), but he’s an athlete good enough to do in the NFL. The bigger issue is that at Georgia he was more of a GM with a loaded supporting cast and doesn’t offer many high-profile attributes. When the playing field is level against NFL competition, he may struggle to stand out.
Round 7, pick 257: DT DJ Dale, Alabama
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Dale has consistently snapped about 38 snaps per game in four years with the Crimson Tide and has done well enough on both run defense and pass rushing. He would be a solid addition to the Saints rotation as a late-round backup, but he doesn’t offer many sporting advantages and may already be maxed out as an all-around defender.
Summary of the draft
Round 1, pick 29: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Round 2, pick 40: DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
Round 3, Pick 71: OL Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
Round 4, Pick 115: WR Tank Dell, Houston
Round 5, pick 146: RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma
Round 5, Pick 165: DE Tavius Robinson, Ole Miss
Round 7, pick 227: QB Stetson Bennett, Georgia
Round 7, pick 257: DT DJ Dale, Alabama
The Saints emerged from this seven-round mock draft with no clear and immediate starters, but with much more effective help and significantly better depth in some key areas.
Mayer would likely play 30 snaps or more per game as a beginner, helping to improve rushing attack with his blocking while increasing first down conversions with his safe hands on contested catches. Derek Carr’s No. 2 tight end has seen 3 or 4 goals a game in recent years, allowing him to funnel passes Mayer’s way while continuing to give Juwan Johnson as many shots as he could handle.
Smith could have a positive on both passing and shutting down while rotating with Saunders and Shepherd. The Saints had three different defensive tackles last year averaging 30 or more snaps per game, so they’re used to platooning at this point. He’s been averaging 42 games per game at Michigan, so a slightly reduced workload could help keep him fresh.
Injuries along the offensive line last year meant six different players lined up at the two guards last season, four of whom saw more than 100 snaps. If Mauch can help stabilize this position and campaign for an entry-level job next year, this choice is justified. Very athletic for his size, he does many things well that the Saints value as a move blocker in space.
Late round picks are mixed. Dell, Robinson, Bennett and Dale could be eliminated by the Saints’ athletic sills before we even get to draft day. The team would probably prefer to come out of this draft with more depth at the linebacker and find players who better match their established prototypes at receiver and along the defensive line. It’s always worth picking up a flyer about a quarterback prospect, but Bennett’s shortcomings might be highlighted when he’s competing against professional athletes rather than leaning on them as teammates.
Story originally appeared on Saints Wire
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