The rules I set for myself in making these picks was that it had to be a realistic player at that position, and that try not to pick the same player with each attempt unless they are BPA. I did four drafts on Fanspeak’s draft simulator using their big board projections. The primary focus was on one side to pick the best players with the highest talent and upside, but also to pick players at places of need WHEN it was most advantageous to take them. Without further ado lets look at the 4 mocks to see what the Saints wound up with.
Mock 1:
RD: 1- Emmanuel Ogbah, DE Oklahoma ST. The Saints desperately need help in the pass rush department, but also need a player who isn’t a massive liability against the run. Ogbah might be considered a reach here by some, but the Saints likely got the second best DE in the draft who will bring a legit pass rush element and won’t cripple the teams run defense…quite the opposite.
RD: 2- Javon Hargrave, DT South Carolina ST. The Saints desperately need defensive tackle help and also guard help. Hargrave being available here was just too much value to pass up on, and there will be very good Guards left in the next round. Hargrave is a monster of a man and could help turn around the defense in a big way.
RD: 3- Joshua Garnett, G Stanford. The Saints biggest need this year is Guard and its by a mile. They get arguably the best fit for them here in Garnett. A smart, physical, athletic player who is NFL ready today.
RD: 4- Mike Thomas, WR Southern Miss. The Saints need a big bodied wide receiver, and they also need a receiver who can help stretch the field as well. They get both in Mike Thomas who just might be the best overall talent at receiver in this entire draft.
RD: 5- Justin Simmons, S Boston College. The Saints lost Rafael Bush in free agency to the Lions (again?!) and because of that Safety is now a major need. Simmons is a solid prospect who isn’t necessarily star material, but imo is a rock solid pick who could become a starter.
RD: 7- Storm Woods, RB Oregon State. You guys didn’t think I would go a whole draft without find a way to get a Beaver on the team did you? Woods is an explosive all around back who excels in both the return game and as a receiver. Payton has had an affinity for former Mike Riley players in the past and in my opinion Woods is an upgrade over Cadet or Murphy.
Mock 2:
RD: 1- Shaq Lawson, DE Clemson. Lawson is in my opinion the best (realistic) pick the Saints could make at 12. He helps the run game tremendously, but he also brings a legit pass rush element opposite Cam Jordan to give the Saints at least a chance to have an above average front 7 (the missing piece to their defense).
RD: 2- Chris Jones, DT Mississippi ST. Jones is an absolute monster and while his effort was definitely not consistent in college, his product stacks up with anyone’s which is actually MORE impressive. Jones and Lawson together could make the Saints greatest weakness a true strength in 2016.
RD: 3- Christian Westerman, G Arizona State. Westerman is incredibly strong and his film shows a Guard who while not necessarily elite, has a chance to be rock solid at the NFL level. I believe he’s ready to compete for a starting spot right away which is what the Saints need.
RD: 4- Javon Hargrave, DT South Carolina ST. In any other year I’d say there is no chance he falls this far and would ignore the pick, but this year’s draft is so deep its at least possible. IF Hargrave dropped this low he’s a total no brainer for the Saints. You simply can’t pass on that kind of talent at this stage.
RD: 5- Keyarris Garrett, WR Tulsa. Garrett is just the kind of hidden gem in the draft the Saints have been so good at finding. He isn’t an athletic freak which is why he MIGHT be available this late. Garrett has maybe the best hands in the draft and is able to run a complete route tree coming out of college. He’s just what the Saints need.
RD: 7- Elijah Shumate, S Notre Dame. Being honest I don’t expect too much from him, but the Saints could use some depth and frankly the 7th round is a crap shoot anyway.
Mock 3:
RD: 1- Cody Whitehair, G Kansas ST. The Saints biggest need is at Guard, and with a draft that is very deep in two of their three other biggest needs they decided to take the best player in the draft right away following the model set by Dallas a few years ago.
RD: 2- Vernon Butler, DT Louisiana Tech. Butler is one of the harder to read prospects in this draft, but if his tape can be trusted he’s a better version of Rankins (who is constantly mocked at 12). If Butler makes it to the 44th pick the Saints would be ecstatic to draft a penetrating defensive tackle in the second round.
RD: 3- Deion Jones, OLB LSU. The Saints did a lot to reduce the necessity of getting a weakside linebacker early in the draft during free agency, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t love to get a great athlete with legit coverage ability. Jones is a freak athlete who plays with an edge and tremendous speed, his coverage ability alone would make him a valuable addition.
RD: 4- Keyarris Garrett, WR Tulsa. As we saw earlier Garrett is a near perfect fit for the Saints and allows them to fill the need at WR with a player who fits well with Drew, but who also has a complete skillset that complements the other pieces of the offense as well for the post Brees years.
RD: 5- Roberto Aguayo, K Florida State. The Saints brought in the corpse of Scobee, so you can guarantee that kicker is still a need. Aguayo is the only kicker worth looking at before the 7th round, and with the team having filled most of its biggest holes already they can afford to possibly get their kicker for the next decade in Aguoyo.
RD: 7- Vi Teofilo, G Arizona State. The only thing better than getting one Guard in this draft is getting two. Teofilo is a long shot (thus why he’s there in the 7th), but he’ll make Lelito and Kelemete earn their roster spots which is fine.
Mock: 4
RD: 1- Myles Jack, OLB UCLA. If it wasn’t for all the rumors on his knee I’d say there is ZERO chance Jack makes it to 12, but IF he were to he’s the pick. Jack is a special athlete with incredible coverage skills for his position and the kind of tenacity that can help turn a defense around.
RD: 2- Sheldon Day, DT Notre Dame. Day is a tremendous athlete and could give the Saints the kind of interior penetration that this defense has so desperately needed.
RD: 3- Joshua Garnett, G Stanford. The Saints continue their home run hitting in the draft by getting the best Guard fit for them in Garnett in the third round.
RD: 4- Rashard Higgins, WR Colorado State. Higgins has good size, good speed, and great hands. Most of all he has great chemistry with Grayson. If the Saints think Grayson can still become their starter of the future they might consider drafting a player who he already has chemistry with.
RD: 5- Isaac Seumalo, C Oregon State. This one isn’t a homer pick. Seumalo can play both Guard and Center and has the potential to become a solid starter at both positions. The Saints need depth along the offensive line and Seumalo provides that.
RD: 7-Matt Judon, DE Grand Valley State. Judon might just be the best player nobody has ever heard of. He’s the quintessential diamond in the ruff from a small school who showed a level of dominance rarely seen. Judon’s questions come from his lack of competition, but his body and production show him to be a player who might just be able to surprise and become a threat even at the NFL level.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
