Former LSU blogger and SEC draft expert Kris Brauner has had a yearly tradition with Saints Nation of jumping on with us for a quick Q&A before the big day. While he’s taken a step back from writing of late, his content below should leave no questions about his competency on this subject. I hope you enjoy his insights as much as I did. Kris seems firmly on the Ralph Malbrough “please draft La’El Collins” train, which is picking up some serious steam. Huge thanks to Kris for taking the time and go follow him on twitter immediately if you love LSU because he’s awesome.
Kris – you’re not blogging on the Tigers these days but I know you still pay just as close attention as always. So I’m going to ask you about LSU first since I’m a huge fan (as you know). Curious who your top prospects are, and which LSU Tigers coming out are the best fits for the Saints schematically.
LSU doesn’t have quite as many guys expected to be drafted as they’ve had in recent years, but they’re still looking at about five to seven picks with another few likely getting a shot as an undrafted free agent.
The unquestioned top prospect this year is offensive lineman La’El Colllins who is projected to go between #10 and 25 in the first round. Collins made the decision to return to LSU for his senior season and he improved his stock from a mid round pick last year to a first round grade. He has started at both guard and tackle at LSU and excelled at both, and that versatility is serving him well as he transitions to the professional ranks. More on him below…
Cornerback Jalen Collins is likely the next Tiger off the board. Collins has always had all of the tools – great size and length, terrific straight line speed, better than average ball skills, and surprising toughness. He has also been coached by one of the top defensive backs coaches in the college ranks in Corey Raymond. But it hasn’t always translated to dominant play on the field. Until the second half of his fourth season at LSU, he was never a full time starter. And while the talent in LSU’s secondary has been superb through the years, you’d expect someone touted as a first rounder and future NFL starter to easily hold down a starting job at the college level. While Collins has all of the tools, his projections as a first rounder have never felt quite right to me, and I think he has been a tad overrated. Very recently, some reports have surfaced that he failed some drug tests while at LSU so we may see his stock drop a bit due to that. I’d still be surprised if he lasts past the early part of the second round.
Outside linebacker / defensive end Danielle Hunter could be picked as high as the second round. Hunter is another guy that has all of the tools you could want with a great frame and terrific speed, explosion and quickness. But again, that didn’t translate to production on the field. A big part of that was due to scheme as former defensive coordinator John Chavis often had his ends play more of a contain role while focusing on stopping the run first, especially when facing the numerous mobile quarterbacks in the SEC. Hunter finished the year with 73 tackles (very good for a DE), 13 tackles for loss (very good), but just 1.5 sacks (Awful). Despite the scheme or anything else, a guy with his physical attributes ought to get to the quarterback more. He only had two quarterback hurries too, so it wasn’t like he was getting pressure and affecting the quarterback despite not getting sacks. He just wasn’t getting there. That’s obviously a major concern. Regardless, the tools are there and as a 3-4 OLB, he’s got the potential to be a productive NFL player with a better scheme fit.
Outside linebacker Kwon Alexander is also looking at a mid round selection. Alexander checked in at 6’1″ 227 at the combine, and you just don’t see a ton of NFL linebackers that light. So that’s a concern. To me, he’s strictly an outside guy for a 4-3 team, better suited for the weak side where his explosion and speed can be utilized. Kwon certainly flashed some “wow” plays during his LSU career but never could quite put it all together to truly break out and make a big name for himself. Alexander tended to gamble and go for the big play, often washing himself out of a play entirely by over pursuing or shooting the wrong gap. He did lead LSU in tackles and logged 7.5 TFL and 5 quarterback hurries while forcing a couple of fumbles. So he made an impact. For a linebacker, he’s very good in coverage when asked to do so. He’ll offer some nice versatility and should shine on special teams as well. I’m not sure he ever starts at the NFL level but he should stick in the league for a while.
Running backs Terrance Magee and Kenny Hilliard along with defensive end Jermauria Rasco and safety Ronald Martin are in the mix as well. Magee is the most likely to get drafted from that group.
As for fits with the Saints, I love the notion of La’El Collins going at #13. Love it. I keep trying to take a step back and look at this strictly as a Saints fan and not a LSU fan, but I still keep coming back to Collins as a terrific fit. He could start at guard immediately and with Zach Strief at 31 years old, he could eventually slide outside to tackle if the situation warrants it. I think La’El has one of the highest floors in the entire draft. And while he’s a better run blocker than pass protector, that’s very likely a product of what LSU did offensively during his tenure there (i.e. run the ball a ton). He’s used to playing in a pro style system and should transition easy. If some of the more desirable edge rushers are off the board at #13, La’El makes an awful lot of sense to me.
Hunter could be a decent fit for the Saints if they haven’t found a pass rusher by Pick #75 or #78. I think Hunter at #44 would be too big a reach.
I believe Terrance Magee would be a terrific fit for the Saints, even though I don’t think they should use a draft pick on a running back and I doubt that Magee will make it through without being selected somewhere. Magee has always reminded me a bit of Pierre Thomas in the sense that he always makes positive yardage somehow and always falls forward. He’s patient and uses his blockers well. He’s also a terrific receiver out of the backfield and would be a natural to catch all those screens that Pierre was so deadly with. I just don’t see how it happens.
Give me a handful of non LSU guys you’d like to see the Saints take. 4 or 5 names. Players that you think can really help this team.
My top realistic option for the Saints is Clemson outside linebacker Vic Beasley. He’s a ridiculous pass rusher who has the athleticism to play any linebacker spot, including some in the middle. He’s exactly what the Saints need. He reminds me a bit of Justin Houston coming out but probably more versatile and athletic while maybe a tad less refined. I think he’s going to be a regular Pro Bowler. If the Saints were picking third overall, I’d still be banging the table for Beasley.
I also like Bud Dupree out of Kentucky. He totally crushed the combine, but all that athleticism doesn’t quite show out when you watch him. I usually stay pretty far away from guys like that (Danielle Hunter), but Dupree did put up some nice stats at Kentucky throughout his career. And he did so at a place like Kentucky where he was easily the best player on that defense and the focal point of the opposition. So it’s understandable to a degree that he doesn’t always jump off the screen when watching him. For him to do what he did at the combine at 269 pounds shows some pretty rare and special talent. Whether or not that results in him being a Pro Bowler or just a pretty good player, I do think his floor is pretty high and has a low chance of busting out. He could play Haralson’s OLB spot or the OLB/DE hybrid thing that Galette has been playing.
UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks would be a tremendous pickup for the Saints. At Pick #44, he’s a great value and I’d even be pleased if they snatched him at #31. He’s a little on the small side at 6’0″ 232 pounds, but that’s the only negative you can find about him. Curtis Lofton played a pretty good inside LB at about eight pounds heavier than that. Kendricks is a sound tackler, excellent in coverage and an excellent locker room guy. With some uncertainty about the Saints’ inside linebacker spots, Kendricks would help shore that up.
I think it’s obvious the Saints will be looking to take another pass catcher or two in this draft and one that I really like is Jaelen Strong if he’s there at #31. All around solid guy that has a knack for always coming down with the ball. Scouts seem to knock him for his speed but a 4.44 at 217 pounds at the Combine seems pretty special to me…certainly not a weakness. If he’s on the board at #31, I can’t imagine he won’t be atop my personal list for the Saints.
This is the second time I’m saying this now, but I usually don’t care for guys who “have all the tools” but don’t have the production on the field to match. That description fits Oregon’s Arik Armstead pretty accurately. I’d normally never consider someone like that high in the draft, but Armstead really intrigues me. And in a year when the Saints have two first round picks, it makes taking a boom/bust guy like that a little more palatable. #13 is way too high for him and in all likelihood, he’ll be gone by #31, but if he’s there at #31 somehow, then…..
Possibly at #44 but especially in the third round if he’s still there, I love Auburn’s Sammie Coates. Saints fans have discussed the lack of the deep, vertical threat the last couple of years and how that has affected the offense. Whether Devery Henderson, Robert Meachmen or Joe Morgan, that guy has always been able to make huge plays on a near weekly basis. Just as importantly, that deep threat helps to spread out a defense, keep them honest, and let Drew work the entire field. That guy hasn’t been there for a couple of years and with Kenny Stills gone, there’s even more of a need. Coates has some holes to his game and he’s not a complete receiver. He’s not a NFL #1 guy. But as a fit to fill THAT need for the Saints, he’s perfect. Also from what I’ve seen of his personal character, it’s top notch and he’d be a great locker room guy.
Michigan’s Devin Funchess is an interesting guy to me too. Scouts have gone back and forth as to whether he’s a big WR in the mold of a guy like…Marques Colston or whether he’s a flex tight-end, possibly like…Jimmy Graham. Obviously, both have had tons of success with the Saints. He doesn’t have Graham’s physical skills, so we can get that out of the way. But as someone who can help fill that void…absolutely. Sean Payton would find ways to take advantages of mismatches with a guy like Funchess, and I think he could make a pretty immediate impact on the team. If he’s there in the third round, he should be considered.
I also love Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett but with the Saints took such a similar guy in Cooks last year, Lockett wouldn’t make a ton of sense to me.
South Carolina guard AJ Cann in the third round would be a great value. I also like Ole Miss corner Senquez Golson in the fourth round range. With Browner and Lewis on the outside, Golson would really excel as a nickel guy where he can make plays and not have to worry as much with whatever challenges he’d face on the outside due to his size. He was an incredibly productive player in the SEC.
I’ve been steadfast in saying, along with one of my co-writers Brian Pavek, that Leonard Williams and Amari Cooper are by far and away the best players in the draft. Do you agree?
I’m with you on Leonard Williams. In doing evaluations for years, whether it be for the NFL Draft or recruiting, I’ve learned there is no such thing as a sure thing. But Williams comes pretty close in my opinion. I’d be shocked if he didn’t turn out to be an extremely good player with a very long and productive NFL career. He’s also versatile and should fit nicely into any scheme.
My opinion differs from yours on Amari Cooper. While Cooper is obviously a top notch prospect, I can’t get to the point of tabbing him with anything like a “far and away best player in the draft” type of label. I actually prefer West Virginia’s Kevin White to Cooper. Cooper is extremely polished and you simply can’t argue with his production in the SEC (124 receptions, 1727 yards, 16 TDs). And that was with a QB that was pretty limited. I believe Cooper helped Blake Sims rather than the other way around. Lane Kiffin’s offense at Alabama is extremely wide receiver-friendly. Think back to his time at USC with guys like Robert Woods and Marquise Lee putting up similar, video game numbers. But at the same time, it’s a pro style system and not some Air Raid type of attack that throws the ball 55 times a game either. So Cooper’s numbers are legit, and he should have no trouble transitioning to the pro level.
So what’s not to like? There is just not a ton of “wow” to Cooper’s game. Cooper does everything very well, but isn’t great at everything. He has good enough speed, but he’s not blazing. He has shown good hands, but has had intermittent issues with drops. He’s physical, but not likely to out muscle people for jump balls…especially with his 32″ vert. He’s good after the catch, but nobody would say he’s electrifying or anything like that. He’s a great route runner and can routinely make defenders look silly on double move, but those defenders will be much better in the NFL. Some will see the same things that I do and argue that Cooper is a complete receiver and not just a “big guy” or not just a “speed guy” and make the case that the same observations are actually a strength. They could make a pretty good case too.
I guess I look at most of the elite receivers in the game today see guys like Megatron, Dez, OBJ, Antonio Brown, AJ Green, etc and those guys have the “wow” factor. I just don’t see that with Cooper, so I have some concern that a team might not be getting what they expect out of a guy they select in the Top-10 overall.
Having said all of that, he’s still one of the SAFEST picks in the entire draft and has tremendous value and is going to play in the NFL for a long time. But I can’t get to the point of “far and away best player in the draft”.
What’s your take on the red flag guys? DGB, Marcus Peters, Randy Gregory, and now maybe even Jalen Collins. Do you run the risk on any of these players? And if so, where would you take them. In other words, at one point does the value become too good to pass on these guys?
By and large, the Saints have stayed completely away from guys like this – whether in the draft or through free agency, and I believe that approach has served them well and has been a big reason for their success. I doubt they change gears now; although, I’m sure there’s a feeling of additional pressure to win big while Drew is still around and performing at a high level. But you’ve got varying degrees of red flags, for sure. I’d be a little surprised if a guy like Dorial Green-Beckham is even on the Saints’ board. But a failed drug test for weed? It shows incredibly poor judgement, but something like that could perhaps be overlooked at the right spot and is far less severe in my opinion than assault (DGB) or a total inability to get along with coaches to the point where you’re dismissed from the team (Peters).
I suppose there is a point where the potential value of someone with red flags outweighs the risk, but my guess is that another team will have a much lower tolerance for any of these guys than the Saints and that the Saints won’t ever get to that decision point.
I’m not crazy about Gregory or Jalen Collins as potential fits with the Saints anyway.
Any sleepers in the 5th/6th/7th round? Guys maybe no one has heard of that the Saints should seriously consider?
I mentioned Ole Miss cornerback Senquez Golson and he could be around in the fifth round.
I really like Washington State wide receiver Vince Mayle. As a senior, Mayle logged huge numbers with over 100 receptions and nearly 1500 yards, albeit in an Air Raid offense under Mike Leach. He’s more of a developmental guy that is still relatively new to the game after playing basketball in junior college. So he has a pretty high ceiling that may take a couple of years to refine at the pro level.
Georgia LB Ramik Wilson is a mid to late round guy that was a big-time producer in the SEC. He logged over 100 tackles in back to back seasons, and earned All-SEC honors in consecutive years. He can play a number of different linebacker spots but likely an inside guy for the Saints.
Michigan State linebacker Taiwan Jones is another that I like, and he is probably exclusively an inside guy. He’s not great in coverage or going sideline to sideline, but he’s a thumper that can immediately help a running game, and that’s somewhere the Saints certainly need to improve.
He probably won’t last to Round 5, so I’m kind of cheating on this answer but Arizona State DL Marcus Hardison seems underrated as a mid round projection. Very productive guy who has very good quickness. He’s probably better suited as a DT in a 4-3 defense but the Saints are so multiple along the defensive line, he could be a great value in the middle rounds.
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