Saints Nation Mock Draft 3.0

It’s been about a month since I did my last mock draft and the time feels right to offer up a new one now that we’re inside 2 weeks away from the big day. Much like last time I’m going to use the Fanspeak Draft Simulator because I know you don’t care who the other teams select. Instead I’ll go 7 rounds and give you all my Saints picks and I’ll use the composite of all the boards as my draft board. I’m curious to hear what you think of my draft and what you would have done differently, so please comment below.

1st round, 13th pick: Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri (last mock pick: Brandon Scherff, T/G, Iowa)

Best player available: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

Others considered: Danny Shelton, Devante Parker, Alvin Dupree

I wasn’t psyched with how the board fell to me. The first 12 picks were Winston, Beasley, Fowler, Williams, Amari Cooper, Mariota, White, La’El Collins, Landon Collins, Waynes, Scherff and Kendricks. I really wanted a pass rusher or a G/T combo player. Gregory’s drug problem scares me so I didn’t consider him. I strongly considered Parker and Shelton here and I’m sure many of you wish I had selected either of those guys. But Ray is an exellent pass rusher and may turn out to be a better pro than Vic Beasley. He’ll make an immediate impact on the Saints and I think the defense and pass rush has to get better. I’m happy with this pick, though I wish more guys had fallen. Passing on Shelton was hard.

1st round, 31st pick: DE Owa Odighizuwa, UCLA (last mock pick: Eli Harold, OLB/DE, Virginia)

Best player available: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Others considered: Kevin Johnson, Jaelen Strong, Breshad Perriman, Jalen Collins, Shaq Thompson, Devin Funchess, Stephone Anthony, Paul Dawson

The Saints have three ends on their roster: Jordan, Hicks and Foster. That’s it. They not only need bodies, they need someone competent. I think Hicks would be pushed by Odighizuwa. Odighizuwa would have to come out on pass rushing downs, but no problem since the Saints drafted Shane Ray and can move Hicks or Jordan inside. The porous run defense would get a huge boost from having Odighizuwa on running downs instead of Ray or even Junior Galette. And he can contribute immediately.

2nd round, 47th pick: WR Devin Funchess, Michigan (last mock pick: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State)

Best player available: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut

Others considered: Stephone Anthony, Ronald Darby, Laken Tomlinson, Carl Davis, Phillip Dorsett

Passing on Anthony and Dorsett especially was really hard. The Saints already have big frame receiver prospects in Seantavius Jones and Brandon Coleman. The allure of Funchess was just too strong, though. With Brees he could blossom immediately. I don’t know if he’d gain weight and play tight end, or just become the next Colston type receiver, but either way the offense just got a huge boost.

3rd round, 75th pick: CB Alex Carter, Stanford (last mock pick: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest)

Best player available: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

Others considered: Danielle Hunter, Ramik Wilson, Quinten Rollins, Sammie Coates

I almost took Hunter as a homer move and because of his explosiveness. But Ray was already drafted and the Saints want finished products right now, not projects. Carter in the mix at corner is a good thing, and he has the size the Saints covet.

3rd round, 78th pick: G Ali Marpet, Hobart (last mock pick: Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State)

Best player available: Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State

Others considered: Quinten Rollins, Danielle Hunter, Tyler Lockett

Small school 0-lineman, need I say more? Some think Marpet is 2nd round pick quality. He can compete for a starting spot and will make Lelito (or Kelemete) earn it.

5th round, 140th pick: TE Nick O’Leary, Florida State (last mock pick: Ben Koyack, TE, Notre Dame)

Best player available: Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska

Others considered: Jake Ryan, Ellis McCarthy, Ben Koyack, Jeremiah Poutasi, Chris Covington, Austin Shepherd

With Funchess in the mix this was maybe a mistake, but I like O’Leary and he’s a true tight end. Why not cover your bases with Jimmy Graham gone?

5th round, 146th pick: Jake Ryan, ILB, Michigan (last mock pick: Austin Shepherd, T, Alabama)

Best player available: Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina

Others considered: Ellis McCarthy, Jeremiah Poutasi, Chris Covington, Lorenzo Doss

Tough player that will fight hard to make the team. The guy is smart, physical and committed just like Sean Payton likes them.

6th round, 171st pick: Corey Robinson, T, South Carolina (last mock pick: Christian Covington, DT, Rice)

Best player available: Geneo Grissom, OLB, Oklahoma

Others considered: Grissom

This is a bit of a gamble but he could eventually replace Strief at right tackle. He is huge in size. He’s been a steady left tackle in the SEC for a few years so he’s gone up against the best the college game has to offer (including Ray). He’ll need to improve technique but at 6’7″ 324lbs he can develop into a stud. Competition at tackle is a must as I don’t trust Bryce Harris. I was fortunate to have Covington drop this far last time but no such luck this time arond.

7th round, 205th pick: David Parry, DT, Stanford (last mock pick: Terrance Magee, RB, LSU)

Best player available: Nick Marshall, CB, Auburn

Others considered: Terrance McGee

This might be my favorite pick of the bunch. I didn’t expect Parry to drop this far, many think he’ll go in the 4th round. He’s strong, quick, can play inside/out, he’s smart and he hustles. Some think he’s maxed out in terms of development but the value is way too good to pass up here.