With the 2013 NFL Draft just around the corner, it’s time to unveil the New Orleans Saints seven-round mock draft. Last season did not go as planned for the franchise as Sean Payton got suspended for a year due to the “bountygate” scandal. With him back and a brand new season the high-flying offense will return.
Here’s how their draft might look.
First Round (No. 15 Overall): Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=260jraqaArs]New Orleans needs to revamp its front seven this offseason and Barkevious Mingo is a local product and arguably the top overall prospect still available. He’ll also make life easier for an overmatched Saints secondary.
Best Alternatives: OLB Jarvis Jones; S Kenny Vaccaro
Third Round (No. 75 Overall): T.J. McDonald, S, USC
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ-2puG7-mo]The addition of former Pittsburgh Steelers corner Keenan Lewis is a big boost to the Saints’ secondary, but New Orleans still desperately needs to improve along the front seven and at the back-end of the defense after finishing next-to-last in the league in passing and scoring and dead last in rushing and total defense in 2012.
T.J. McDonald possesses pro size and length with good ball skills and NFL bloodlines. The 6-2, 219-pound free safety hits like a missile in the middle of the field and is a solid steal for the Saints in the middle of the third round.
His physical presence around the line of scrimmage and ability to seamlessly fight through traffic to find the ball carrier will be coveted in Rob Ryan‘s 3-4 defense. He’ll also assuredly be on a factor on special teams.
Fourth Round (No. 109 Overall): Chris Faulk, OG/OT, LSU
Chris Faulk doesn’t have good technique and isn’t very flexible, but the local product is pretty versatile and he wouldn’t be the first offensive lineman to succeed at the next level with less-than-impressive technique.
The 6-5, 331-pound lineman provides the team with a much-needed physical and determined blocker to line up on the opposite, which comes in handy for Drew Brees and company after the loss of Jermon Bushrod.
Fifth Round (No. 144 Overall): Denard Robinson, WR, Michigan
Robinson, originally a quarterback in college for the Wolverine’s is ready to be an impact player in the league with a good offense system where he can blend into the position they want him to play. If coach Payton and his staff direct him to wide receiver, he can become a step above Devery Henderson, and of course Brees can use another weapon. How about a quarterback that is willing to do anything to make himself fit into the league KR/DB/WR a result the Saints are getting a perfect combination
Sixth Round (No. 183 Overall): Damion Square, DE, Alabama
The Saints have no long term solution and to search for the right depth at the defensive line and with the right development Square can become a dominate force at the position. For the Crimson Tide last season he lost some playing time due an injury he suffered but when he was out on the field he was successful and his best came at the loss to Texas A&M when he eight tackles
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