We’re a fair bit free now and the New Orleans Saints made some interesting additions and brought back some key deep players. Now that things are taking shape, let’s revisit a mock draft for the team.
Inside the defensive line we’ve seen the additions of Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders. While the team can certainly address the center line in the first lap, it’s less of a must right now. The team can take more from one of the best players available, mixed in with whatever else it needs.
Jamaal Williams’ signing also makes drafting a running back much less likely in the first two days of the draft, but it probably works better for a team trying to win now.
Here are the full seven rounds of a new mock draft for the Saints:
Round 1, Pick 29 – DE Will McDonald IV
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The Saints have done a good job of bolstering the defensive line with some solid free-agent options, but have yet to really address the edge. They still have Payton Turner on the list, but that won’t be enough to fill the void in snaps left by Marcus Davenport’s departure. McDonald gives a new type of defender that the Saints don’t have on their roster that would provide an influx of potential that the Saints desperately need.
He’s not the strongest, but in every other facet he’s more successful than anyone currently on the list. His explosion and use of his body make him an imminent threat in the pass rush. I think he would be an excellent addition to the rotation situationally in his first year and would only grow from there.
Round 2, Pick 40 – TE Luke Musgrave
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Musgrave has great assets in every possible NFL tight-end role. He’s a big, fast multisport player who would be the perfect addition to the Saints’ tight end space.
While he’s shaping up to be a franchise tight end as the position in the NFL has a huge learning curve, he compliments both Juwan Johnson and Adam Trautman on the package the Saints plan to use. He’s the kind of weapon offense needs to put in the draft and the kind of athlete the Saints love.
The story goes on
Round 3, pick 71 – DL Moro Ojomo
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While McDonald is your fast and explosive edge rusher, Ojomo is your versatile athlete who can function both inside and outside. Most of what he’s missing right now are things that can be taught at the next level, just the finer points of an NFL defenseman. He’s a great and willing athlete who could round out the team’s new front line next year.
Round 4, Pick 115 – DB Jartavius Martin
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You can never have enough defenders, as evidenced by the Saints’ recent signings. Getting Martin on day three of the draft would be an absolute steal for New Orleans. He’s a nickel back who could also develop into a safety, the type of player that New Orleans tends to be.
While he may look like a similar player to Alontae Taylor, I believe Taylor is the future frontier corner for this team versus Marshon Lattimore. Martin fits in better than Adebo and would be a huge depth behind Bradley Roby.
Of course, the security room could use more and more depth. He also has good physicality.
Round 5, Pick 146 – WR Andrei Iosivas
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Iosivas offers a good size for wide receiver space, in contrast to the playing styles of the other youngsters on the team. He’s still a great athlete because he’s about 6ft 3 tall and weighs over 200 pounds. More of a type for higher floors and lower ceilings. At best, he forms the position of a future playmaker. At worst, he’s a very solid Special Team option, something that’s keeping players in the receiver position throughout the organization.
Round 5, Pick 165 – OL McClendon Curtis
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Curtis is a long-armed good potential guard who will fit into the New Orleans Saints’ running game scheme. He has lightning bolts in both pass and run protection. Very solid depth at the moment but could definitely develop into a bigger role in the near future.
Round 7, Pick 227 – FB Hunter Luepke
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Many will scoff at drafting a full-back, but securing Luepke outside of free agency would be a very smart move. He’s an insane athlete for the position and would offer the team a lot more than a regular full-back. He was a super fun player to watch in college which is a big hill to climb for an FCS full-back.
Round 7, Pick 257 – LB Anfernee Orji
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Orji plans to be someone who stays in the league for a long time as a special teamer. The perfect type of player to make a cheap deal for a while with the possibility of becoming a ten year player.
Story originally appeared on Saints Wire
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