Hubbard’s Mock Draft 2.0: Constructing an offense for Kellen Moore

It’s been official for a few days now, however former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator and Tremendous Bowl LIX champion, Kellen Moore, is the brand new head coach of the New Orleans Saints.

The rent alerts a brand new period of New Orleans soccer, with all ties to Sean Payton formally severed. The main focus for the subsequent week or two shall be constructing a brand new employees, however shortly after that, they are going to put all their time and power into free company and the 2025 NFL Draft.

It’s no secret that the Saints roster isn’t the perfect and has some huge holes, however fortunately for Moore, he has loads of draft capital to work with, together with a high 10 decide and two first rounders.

At the moment, I’ll be doing my second three-round mock draft of the offseason, however I’m going to give attention to the offensive aspect of the ball and constructing an excellent offense round Moore.

Spherical 1, Decide 9 – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

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With the ninth general decide within the 2025 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints choose…Ashton Jeanty, operating again, Boise State.

Pay attention, is that this the neatest transfer on this planet for a group that received 5 video games this previous season? Most likely not, however we noticed what Moore did for Saquon Barkley in Philly. Barkley is among the finest operating backs within the league, however Moore fully elevated his sport this previous season, which noticed him rush for over 2,000 yards.

The Saints offensive line will not be close to what Philly’s is, so I used to be tempted to seize somebody like Will Campbell right here, however Jeanty might be the perfect operating again prospect since Saquon Barkley, and for those who pair him with Alvin Kamara, it might be a deadly dashing assault.

Spherical 2, Decide 40 – Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

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Relying on for those who view Will Campbell as an offensive guard or sort out, I feel it’s protected to say that Tyler Booker is a high 2 or high 3 offensive guard on this 12 months’s class. The previous Alabama standout began three seasons for the Tide and has over 2,000 snaps of expertise in school.

1,035 of Booker’s 2,007 collegiate snaps got here as a go blocker, and he gave up a complete of 30 pressures and two sacks throughout his profession. This previous 12 months, he gave up simply 10 pressures and nil sacks in 395 go blocking snaps.

The Saints offensive line is coming alongside. They’ve added Taliese Fuaga final 12 months, Eric McCoy is among the finest facilities within the league when wholesome and Trevor Penning has proven indicators of enchancment, so that they really want some assist at their two guard spots. Booker can present that and hopefully give the Saints a beginning guard for years to return.

Philly’s offense and Saquon’s success have been predicated on having a dominant offensive line. The Saints aren’t there but and received’t be with simply the addition of Booker, however I feel the addition would go far in direction of getting the offensive line again to the place it was ultimately of Brees’ tenure once they have been top-of-the-line models within the league.

Spherical 3, Decide 71 – Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

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The Saints desperately must get a brand new tight finish. Foster Moreau has flashed, however he’s been out and in of the lineup with accidents in two years in New Orleans, and I’m simply performed with the Juwan Johnson experiment. It’s time to get one other massive receiving menace on the tight finish place, so I went with who I feel is the perfect TE within the draft in Mason Taylor.

I’m unsure he’ll really final this lengthy on draft night time, but when he’s someway there at decide 71, I wouldn’t waste a single second calling the decide in. Taylor was at all times a receiving menace at LSU, however he actually developed into an amazing blocker throughout his time in Baton Rouge, which is why his draft inventory is hovering. Plus, he had a extremely nice efficiency on the Senior Bowl, and we all know the Saints love their Senior Bowl guys.

I feel Taylor is a franchise tight finish, and for those who ever have the chance to choose the highest participant at a place within the third spherical, I feel you must do it. I wouldn’t actually hesitate to drag the set off within the second spherical for those who don’t love anybody else both.

Spherical 3, Decide 93 – JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss

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Whereas we’ve targeted on offense this complete draft, it’s lastly time to draft a defensive participant.

Ole Miss has a fully loaded line of defense class coming into the NFL this 12 months, and one of many high guys they’re producing is JJ Pegues. He spent three years at Ole Miss and began virtually each sport in his closing two seasons. He racked up over 1,659 snaps in his collegiate profession and totaled 126 tackles, 71 pressures and 10 sacks – seven of which got here prior to now two seasons.

Pegues acquired a bit overshadowed by Walter Nolan this 12 months, however he was nonetheless very productive and was top-of-the-line run defending DTs within the SEC in 2024. I feel the Saints have a large want at DT, particularly in the event that they hold operating a 4-3 protection below their new DC. Bryan Bresee is nice, however they want somebody who can eat up holes within the run sport whereas he will get after the passer.