The top 29 Defensive players in the 2016 NFL Draft based on composite rankings of NFL.com, ESPN and PFF

The Saints should be drafting DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE in this draft. They need a guard, they need a receiver, sure, but let’s remember that they’ve been 31st on the defensive side of the ball the last two years and that’s primarily responsible for the 18 losses during that span. So who are the best defensive players anyway? I’ve listed the top 29 below, many of which we should be considering for the Saints at both 12 overall and in the 2nd round if they fall that far. I used ESPN (insider needed), NFL.com and PFF to settle on these rankings. The rule was simple, you had to be a top 20 defender in one of the three site rankings. Assuming you were, you make the cut. From there, I combine all three rankings on each site and then sorted them by highest average. Now as I think about “fit” for the Saints I think it’s important to think about a player’s skillset. The Saints are evaluating a number of things, but I think character, speed and how NFL ready they are (Payton mentioned this as another important factor) are the most important characteristics for the team right now. Here are the rankings:

1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State  (#1 ESPN, #4 NFL.com, #1 PFF) – I actually think his stock is down a bit and he may fall to the 4-8 range. I still think he’s gone by 12 but the percentage chance of him being available at 12 is now “unrealistic” as opposed to “impossible” a couple months ago.
2. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon  (#2 ESPN, #2 NFL.com, #2 PFF) – Many Saints fans like him, but I worry about fit. He seems more like a 3-4 end to me. Moot point, he’ll be gone at 12 anyway.
3. Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA (#4 ESPN, #1 NFL.com, #4 PFF) – The only hope of him being available at 12 is if teams get scared off by him not running a 40 while he comes back from his knee injury. If he falls to 12, I don’t see how you justify not taking him.
4. Jalen Ramsey, CB/FS, Florida State  (#3 on ESPN, #3 NFL.com, #3 PFF) – If I had the 1st overall pick and I couldn’t trade down, I’d take him for the Saints. I like him that much. He’s consensus #3 on all three draft board but he’s #1 on mine.
5. Vernon Hargreaves, III. CB, Florida  (#6 ESPN, #5 NFL.com, #8 PFF) – I’m starting to wonder if he’d be available at 12. If so, I think he you have to consider it. He’s probably the best corner in the draft.
6. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville  (#8 ESPN, #12 NFL.com, #5 PFF) – The most trendy pick for the Saints at 12. Very real possibility he comes to New Orleans.
7. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia  (#12 ESPN, #7 NFL.com, #9 PFF) – I’m warming up to Floyd. I think he’ll be gone when the Saints pick in the 2nd round, but 12th is a reach. I was shocked to see him this high on consensus.
8. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson  (#9 ESPN, #15 NFL.com, #6 PFF) – Like Rankins, he’s very popular for the Saints at 12. Likely the best pass rushing prospect after Bosa and Buckner.
9. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama  (#10 ESPN, #6 NFL.com, #14 PFF) – The Saints don’t need an ILB with Anthony and Laurinaitis on the roster.
10. Jarren Reed, DT, Alabama  (#7 ESPN, #16 NFL.com, #10 PFF) – I think he’s a bit of a 1 trick pony. ESPN loves him, NFL.com not as much. He’s a beast run stuffer but the Saints need more pocket push.
11. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor  (#11 ESPN, #13 NFL.com, #12 PFF) – He’s not a sure thing because he’s so young and raw. That’s why I don’t pick him 12th. But he’ll be gone shortly thereafter.
12. Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame  (#15 ESPN, #9 NFL.com, #13 PFF) – Probably #1 on this list before the injury. Now? Huge red flag.
13. Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State  (#19 ESPN, #14 on NFL.com, #7 on PFF) – Arrow is moving way up on him. I’d love him in the 2nd round if he falls that far. That’s looking less and less likely.
14. A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama  (#16 ESPN, #8 NFL.com, #24 PFF) – I would say he, along with Rankins, is most often picked by the Saints in mocks. Fans on twitter detest this pick because they think he’s too one dimensional and underdeveloped as a pass rusher. Personally, I think he’s fantastic at holding space and so solid. I like him. Not my first choice at 12 but I wouldn’t hate it.
15. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss  (#13 ESPN, #11 NFL.com, #26 PFF) – The biggest character red flag on this list. I want no part of him.
16. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech  (#15 ESPN, #17 NFL.com, #19 PFF) – If he falls to the Saints’ pick in round 2, you have to pounce.
17. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson  (#11 on PFF, #24 on NFL.com, #22 on ESPN) – He only made it in the top 20 of one of the three rankings, which I found very surprising. He’s an excellent corner and possibly in play at 12.
18. William Jackson, CB, Houston (#7 on PFF, #26 on NFL.com, #25 on ESPN) – I love his size and round 2 would be nice if he falls that far. I’m admittedly a little gun shy after SJB, though.
19. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State  (#18 ESPN, #23 on NFL.com, #17 PFF) – Mocks have him going all over the place. These rankings have him consistently around 20. Personally I think there’s a lot better prospects.
20. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia  (#20 ESPN, #25 NFL.com, #18 PFF) – Read his bio. You’ll immediately understand why he’s almost certainly a Sean Payton type of guy.
21. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State (#28 ESPN, #19 NFL.com, #22 PFF) – Good pass rushing prospect. 12 is too high, though, and he’ll be gone by round 2.
22. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson (#23 ESPN, #10 NFL.com, #40 PFF) – Surprised ESPN didn’t have him higher. I’ve seen him at 12 for the Saints on a few mocks. Worth considering but I think his teammate Lawson is better.
23. Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State  (#5 ESPN, #22 on NFL.com, #47 PFF) – Lee is all over the place because he’s undersized but a combine beast. Shocking to see him as the #5 best defender on ESPN but #47 on PFF. I think he’s a fantastic player, just not sure I spend the 12th overall pick on him. He’ll be gone in the first round at some point.
24. Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky (#34 ESPN, #20 NFL.com, #21 PFF) – Character concerns combined with a mediocre combine have killed his stock. Worth considering in round 2 if he did well in his interview, though.
25. Jonathan Bullard, DE/DT, Florida (#42 ESPN, #21 NFL.com, #15 PFF) – His ranking on PFF got him on this list. He’s a solid player and his versatility may be something the Saints like if he falls to the 2nd or 3rd round.
26. Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas (#41 ESPN, #18 NFL.com, #34 PFF) – He’s intriguing but I wouldn’t take him before the 3rd round. His evals are all over the place and there’s so much depth in the draft at this position. NFL.com got him on this list and like him a lot more than PFF and ESPN.
27. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State (#48 ESPN, #35 NFL.com, #16 PFF) – PFF got him on this list and he’s a pass rusher, so maybe round 2?
28. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame (#27 ESPN,#56 NFL.com, #20 on PFF) Was #20 on PFF but #56 on NFL.com. If the Saints don’t get a DT in the first two rounds and he’s still available, may be worth considering.
29. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State  (#17 ESPN, #40 NFL.com, #52 PFF) – Surprising to see such a disparity between his ESPN and PFF/NFL.com ranking. Either way, he’s one to consider in round 2/3.