It’s been almost two months since I last did a Saints draft board. I’ve given a lot of time studying these prospects, watching film, and discussing all the pros and cons. This time I’m removing all running backs, quarterbacks and safeties from the board. Simply put, I would lose my mind if the Saints drafted at these three positions in the first 3 rounds. The Saints should not be looking at these positions early. That leaves us with the 50 prospects below, ordered 1-50 and ranked based on a combination of overall talent and how much sense they make specific to the Saints. This is a board I feel really good about going into the draft. It will be interesting to see where all these guys fall. If the Saints get 5 guys off this list I will be ecstatic.
1. Leonard Williams, DE, USC (previous rank 1)
Still no change here. If the Saints were picking 1st overall, this would be my guy.
2. Dante Fowler, Jr., DE, Florida (8)
I have to ask myself here, if the Saints are picking second and Williams is gone, who would I take? Well easy, I’d trade down and accrue picks while another team takes Jameis Winston. But quarterbacks are off this board so Fowler is my guy. There’s lots of explosive pass rushers in this draft but I genuinely believe he’ll be the best. Or maybe he won’t be, but the fact remains his combine was just too good to ignore.
3. Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson (5)
He keeps moving up my board and I’ve made no secret it’s my hope he’ll fall to 13. I think there’s a 25% chance that happens at this point. Definitely not impossible, but more unlikely than likely. He just feels like a perfect fit. Sean Payton wants more speed to the ball, the Saints want more explosive pass rushing, he’s a good fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker and he can play 4 downs. Frankly, drafting him would allow Rob Ryan to run a true 3-4 in base and relegate Junior Galette to pass rushing situations only.
4. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama (14)
I honestly don’t know what I was doing keeping him so low in the last board. Call it a momentary lapse in judgement. He’s the best offensive player in the draft and if he falls to 13 there’s just very few people I’d take over him. I don’t want the Saints to go offense at #13 and that’s likely the main reason why I had him lower, but the prospect of Brees working with a playmaker this good would make us all miss Jimmy Graham a lot less.
5. Danny Shelton, DT, Washington (4)
I’m still just as psyched about him, I just feel I grossly undervalued Beasley and Cooper on the last board. There’s a strong chance he’ll be the highest guy left on this board when the Saints pick at 13. The run defense would get better overnight.
6. La’El Collins, T, LSU (9)
Ralph Malbroug is really getting me on the La’El train. He’s a monster and I’ve talked on the podcast about the benefit of a guard/tackle swing guy. He can start at guard and shift to tackle if someone gets injured (because the depth at guard is better on the roster). Drafting him helps two positions.
7. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State (6)
I have him rated higher than most of you. He’s the best corner in the draft. If you think the Saints secondary is fixed with Brandon Browner you’re wrong.
8. Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa (8)
Like Collins he also has the guard/tackle swing ability. I’d be happy with either player. The offensive line would really benefit from him.
9. Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky (10)
Still a guy I’d be happy with at 13. There’s just a little more risk involved. But if we’re talking potential, Dupree might have more than anyone on this board.
10. Kevin White, WR, West Virginia (12)
I kind of fell in love with him at the combine but then quickly came back to earth. I don’t like him at 13, even if available, but the Saints could do worse. His combination of size and speed seem to make him a safe bet for success.
11. Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA (unranked)
He’s my first big surprise. First off, it was stupid to not have him in my top 50 last time around. ILB is a huge position of need and he’s the best one. If he falls to 31 he has to be the guy.
12. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville (27)
He’s also moved way up on this board. Although I think he’s going to be overdrafted and I would not like him as a pick at 13. Too much talent ahead of him.
13. Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson (unranked)
Somehow I had him unranked too, but I think if he falls to the 2nd round he’s a must if the Saints still need an ILB. His speed is impressive and once again talking about speed to the ball, Anthony would be a huge boost. Not to mention he can actually cover. A 4 down player for sure.
14. Malcom Brown, DT, Texas (19)
If the Saints miss out on Shelton, they can always look for Brown later. He may fall to 31 and he is massive in size. Bunkley is probably around 1 more year and I’m not convinced John Jenkins is a future starter. Brown in the mix would give the interior depth.
15. A. J. Cann, G, South Carolina (31)
He could beat Lelito and start at left guard in year one. I firmly believe it.
16. Jalen Collins, CB, LSU (20)
If you count the QBs, RBs and Ss, Collins dropped on my board behind a couple players due to his foot surgery, but he still has that great size and he’s one of the only cover guys last year that gave Amari Cooper trouble. In the 2nd round he’s worth a serious look.
17. Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State (24)
He’s just a thick thumper. Doesn’t have the speed or coverage you’d ideally like, but man, he hits like a mule and has the size you covet. I’d love him in the mix if he falls.
18. T. J. Clemmings, T, Pitt (21)
He’s a bit more of a project than you want at tackle, but his athleticism is off the charts. I get the feeling Sean Payton loves him and would seriously consider him at 31. Call it a hunch.
19. Shane Ray, DE, Missouri (3)
He’s taken a free fall despite being my pick at 13 in my last mock draft. I’ve just looked into him a great deal and I think he’s a bad system fit as a 4-3 end pass rusher. And the Saints already have that in Junior Galette. He’s going to be a great pass rusher for someone, the Saints just need a more versatile player that can do more. Hopefully he goes before 13.
20. Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska (7)
Also taking a nose dive, the red flags are too much to ignore. With the weight issue thrown in now, I just can’t justify taking him unless he falls to the 2nd round and you feel really good about your first two picks.
21. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA (32)
He’s rising up my board. He’s going to be a fantastic run stopping end and will develop into a good all around player. Perfect rotational complement to Hicks and Jordan.
22. Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota (38)
Also a riser. he’s the only tight end I’d take in the first 3 rounds. In fact, I’d consider him in the 2nd.
23. Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan (44)
Everyone is calling him the next Colston. He’s on the rise too.
24. D. J. Humphries, T, Florida (36)
Some people think he’s a star in the making. He’s a fast riser on my board too. You can’t ignore how well he played against many of these guys listed above.
25. Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon (11)
Bad scheme fit for me and a bit overrated. But if the guys above are all taken at 31 I would consider him for sure.
26. Eli Harold, DE/OLB, Virginia (22)
For now he’s an explosive pass rusher that’s light in the pads. High potential, needs development.
27. Andrus Peat, T, Stanford (16)
This might be too low for him, honestly. But at 6’7″ his slow feet aren’t as big of an issue. I do think he’s a right tackle, though, and developing behind Strief for a year or two would be his path to starting for the Saints. For that reason he’s not 1st round value for me.
28. Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest (33)
A nice size cover corner. If the Saints miss out on a couple early he’s one to look at in the 2nd or 3rd round.
29. Hau’oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington (37)
Underrated player, just needs to be healthy. If he can stay on the field he could start and get double digit sacks for the Saints.
30. Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State (26)
He has that interior size the Saints need.
31. Ereck Flowers, T, Miami (17)
He is enormous but it affects his footwork.
32. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington (35)
Character concerns aside, he might be the best corner in the draft. I think if he falls to the 2nd round you have to pounce.
33. Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington (13)
He’s fallen a lot for me. Brian Pavek had me list him way high early but I think the scheme fit is what’s missing here. He’ll be a great player for someone.
34. P. J. Williams, CB, Florida State (46)
He’s what the Saints would want, but the recent DUI isn’t helping him.
35. Danielle Hunter, DE/OLB, LSU (23)
Too much of a project, but man, that pass rush.
36. Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke (43)
Like Cann he could come in and push Lelito immediately.
37. Carl Davis, DT, Iowa (29)
Didn’t produce enough in college but otherwise he has it all – size, speed and power.
38. Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma (30)
Huge but he reminds me of Jenkins a good bit. Runs hot and cold.
39. Tre’ Jackson, G, Florida State (47)
Another solid interior line player that would create terrific competition.
40. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State (50)
41. Paul Dawson, ILB, TCU (39)
42. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State (40)
43. Michael Bennett, DE, Ohio State (unranked)
44. Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
45. Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami, FL.
46. Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
47. Ali Marpet, G, Hobart & William Smith
48. Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
49. Frank Clark, DE, Michigan
50. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
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