New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints Mock Draft:

ROUND 1:

15. New Orleans Saints – DE Bjoern Werner, FSU

About the Pick:  Werner has had a strong year and has established himself as a top 10-15 talent in this draft class. He fits best in a 4-3 scheme, where he can keep his hand in the dirt. He has big upside as an edge rusher and should make an immediate impact in that area. He may struggle some versus the run initially at the next level, but should be an every down player fairly quickly.

Steve’s Take: The Saints clearly need some help on defense, and that starts up front. Yes their secondary has gotten torched some, but much of that has to do with allowing too much time in the pocket for the opposing quarterback. Werner gives them that edge rusher, and hopefully difference maker.

 

ROUND 3:

78. New Orleans Saints – DE Datone Jones, UCLA

ROUND 4:

109. New Orleans Saints – DT Jordan Hill, Penn State

ROUND 5:

137. New Orleans- RB Christine Michael, Texas A&M

ROUND 6:

172. New Orleans Saints- CB Sanders Commings, Georgia

ROUND 7:

203. New Orleans- CB Micah Hyde, Iowa

Analysis:

The Saints are without their 2nd rounder due to Bounty Gate, leaving them a little shorthanded. Their primary focus has to be on the defensive side of the ball, and New Orleans just couldn’t compete there this season. Their poor defense, also put their offense in a number of bad situations, resulting in problems both establishing the run and Drew Brees interception count. While much of the focus of the Saints struggles will be on their secondary, it is really the front four and the lack of a pass rush that led to many of their problems. Adding Werner, Jones and Hill would take care of that issue very quickly. In the later rounds N.O. can target some young upside corners and more depth in the backfield.