After letting some time sink in post combine I’m ready to unveil my new and improved board. Looking back at my old board I think it was pretty good at the top but faded down the stretch. This one is better rounded with appropriate prospects down the list. I envision the board like this: once a player on the board is draft, whoever is the highest remaining player is the guy the Saints should pick. There’s been some shifts after the combine which I’ll attempt to explain below. Right now I’m feeling good about this list of 50 players and I’m hopeful the Saints can walk away with three players on this list.
1. Leonard Williams, DE, USC (previous rank 1)
No change here. If the Saints were picking 1st overall, this would be my guy.
2. Dante Fowler, Jr., DE, Florida (8)
He shoots up six spots after a monster combine. He went from a real possibility at 13 to a longshot. Sadly I believe the opportunity to draft him for the Saints has come and gone with that performance.
3. Shane Ray, DE, Missouri (2)
He drops a spot due to Fowler’s combine but by no means does that say I’m less interested. It would be a miracle if he fell to 13 and I don’t expect it at all. If it happened, though, the Saints should turn that pick in in 2 seconds and rush to the podium. Like Fowler he’s make a huge impact on the Saints’ pass rush.
4. Danny Shelton, DT, Washington (9)
This is less about his combine, which was good, and more about my realization that Shelton would make a major impact in the possible transformation of this defense. We’re still in the unlikely to be available at 13 category but Shelton has a slim chance of falling. The ones above him really don’t.
5. Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson (7)
His combine performance makes me even more interested than I was before. This guy is an immediate impact sack guy. If he falls to 13, which is possible, he deserves serious consideration.
6. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State (6)
Best corner in the draft. Along with Beasley he’s at the top of my watch list at 13.
7. Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska (3)
He’s dropped a bit because he’s raw but he plays a position of need and he’s a great system fit.
8. Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa (10)
Probably the best lineman in the draft and has the flexibility to play guard.
9. La’El Collins, T, LSU (19)
If all else fails, I can absolutely live with Collins. He could start at guard as a rookie and eventually replace Strief at right tackle. As you can see he’s shot up this board.
10. Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky (24)
The buzz is really peaking. My concern with him is how raw he is but his potential is off the charts. He’s maybe a slight reach at 13 but if he is able to tap into even 70% of his potential he can be pretty special.
11. Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon (5)
Like Dupree he’s raw. Someone will fall in love with his potential and draft him early, maybe even before 13. But at 6’7″ with his ability, it’s a risk worth taking.
12. Kevin White, WR, West Virginia (37)
I never thought I’d rate a receiver above Cooper, but here we are. His combine was eye opening.
13. Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington (23)
Are you happy Brian Pavek? I still question the scheme fit and I don’t like this as the 13th pick, but if Shaq is available in the 2nd round I would never think twice. Or if the Saints trade, later in the 1st round makes sense.
14. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama (4)
He did nothing wrong, the Saints just can’t afford to take a receiver at 13.
15. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (15)
Because I’ve listed 14 players ahead of Mariota, I’m basically saying Mariota is one of my top 2nd round choices if he’s still available. Moot point of course since he won’t be.
16. Andrus Peat, T, Stanford (11)
It’s not that I don’t want him, it’s that the prospects above stand out.
17. Ereck Flowers, T, Miami (13)
See the write up on Peat above.
18. Landon Collins, S, Alabama (16)
With Bush, Byrd, Vaccaro, Sunseri, Ball and Warren, possibly Jamarca Sanford, safety is one position the Saints are deep until everyone gets hurt again. Collins is a good player but there is no need at this position which is why he’s much lower than his value.
19. Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
He might be too low on this board. I think he’ll be gone early. He’s a beast and while he’s not Shelton, he’s not far off.
20. Jalen Collins, CB, LSU (17)
Had a good combine overall but really struggled to catch passes. If that drops him to the 2nd round and the Saints didn’t take Waynes, this could be a great selection.
21. T. J. Clemmings, T, Pitt (26)
His size is impressive but he’ll likely be gone by the time the Saints pick second.
22. Eli Harold, DE/OLB, Virginia (18)
Pass rusher with speed that’s light in the pads. I saw him play at UVA and dominate in a weak ACC.
23. Danielle Hunter, DE/OLB, LSU (34)
As raw as it gets, but my God is he fast.
24. Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State (27)
Heat seeking hitter the Saints should absolutely consider in the 2nd round.
25. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin (21)
If he falls to the 2nd round it’s almost too good to pass up.
26. Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State (14)
Bunkley went to Florida State too and he may need some replacing.
27. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville (20)
Parker will get taken in the 1st round, possibly before 13.
28. Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (12)
Another guy I’d strongly look at for round 2. I rated him too highly last time around but he’s still a good 2nd round prospect.
29. Carl Davis, DT, Iowa (28)
Great size and potential on the inside.
30. Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma (not ranked)
John Jenkins would have a comparable lunch buddy for maybe the first time in his life.
31. A. J. Cann, G, South Carolina (25)
I still think he’s the best guard in the draft. I hope he drops to round 3, but I’d be good with taking him in round 2.
32. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA (33)
Another raw pass rusher. There are so many in this draft.
33. Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest (29)
Another cover guy that could sneak into the late 1st round selection.
34. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State (not ranked)
At first I left him out of my top 50 board. His combine was too good to ignore, even if he’s a bad character fit.
35. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington (not ranked)
He’s higher on a lot of boards. Some think he’s the best corner in the draft. But the character concerns make him a poor fit in New Orleans.
36. D. J. Humphries, T, Florida (not ranked)
He played extremely well against Danielle Hunter and Shane Ray. The Saints will take notice of this.
37. Hau’oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington (not ranked)
He’s fast, he’s been really productive, and he’d be an excellent value guy later in the draft.
38. Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota (36)
He’ll get taken in the first round most likely. The Saints just don’t need a tight end that early in the draft.
39. Paul Dawson, ILB, TCU (not ranked)
I question the scheme fit here but he’s a good player.
40. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State (35)
Receiver isn’t a need but Smith will be a good one.
41. Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA (41)
There’s a bit drop off after the first two quarterbacks. I don’t Hundley will be available by the 3rd round pick. Do they really want to burn a 2nd pick on a QB?
42. Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana (48)
Someone will be really happy to take him but it’s probably not the Saints.
43. Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke (39)
Could be a great pick later in the draft. He’s got size and intelligence.
44. Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan (44)
I view him as similar to Colston. Really.
45. Rob Havenstein, T, Wisconsin (not ranked)
Tackle depth is a must.
46. P. J. Williams, CB, Florida State (30)
Corner is really weak in this class but I like Williams. Clearly, though, this need for the Saints must be addressed in free agency.
47. Tre’ Jackson, G, Florida State (42)
Another interior mauler that would help depth.
48. Kwon Alexander, OLB, LSU (not ranked)
As a 3rd, 4th or 5th round pick i’d be ecstatic. I didn’t expect him to run that fast at the combine.
49. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia (38)
As special as he could be, I’m not sure investing in damaged goods is smart.
50. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State (47)
He’ll go high, possibly in the 1st round.
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