Jennings: Three draft prospects the Saints new coordinators can mildew

With the New Orleans Saints placing the ending touches on head coach Kellen Moore’s workers, let’s breakdown three 2025 NFL Draft prospects who might thrive underneath DC Brandon Staley, OC Doug Nussmeier, and STC Phil Galiano:

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The unanimous 2024 First-Crew All-American and projected lottery choose is without doubt one of the high abilities on this 12 months’s draft class and will present much-needed assist to the Saints’ inside defensive position.

The 6’3”, 320-pound powerhouse and 2024 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP has improved every season:

2022: 3 sacks, 1 QB hit, 9 hurries, and 1 batted move on 152 move rush snaps throughout 14 video games, incomes an 80.3 total grade.

2023: 4 sacks, 7 QB hits, and 18 hurries on 251 move rush snaps in 13 video games, bettering to a 90.0 total grade.

2024: 5 sacks, 9 QB hits, 20 hurries, and 1 batted move on 338 move rush snaps in 12 video games, with a 91.1 total grade.

I don’t anticipate Graham to fall all the way in which to choose 9, but when he does, pairing him with newly employed DC Brandon Staley could possibly be a really perfect match. Staley served because the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams for the 2020 season, serving to future Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame DT Aaron Donald rack up 13.5 sacks and his third AP Defensive Participant of the Yr award. His expertise teaching the most effective to ever step foot on the gridiron, mixed along with his 3-4 defensive scheme, might set Graham up for early success. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein has even in contrast the 21-year-old to Las Vegas Raiders star DT Christian Wilkins, mentioning his energy, first-step quickness, and tenacity.

Professional Soccer Focus’ current mock draft predicts that the Saints will transfer as much as choose Graham in a commerce with the New York Jets, who presently maintain the seventh total choose:

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Faculty soccer’s main passer for the 2024 season (4,760 yards) could possibly be an interesting choice for the Saints with one in every of their three Day 2 picks (R2.40, R3.71, R3.93). McCord’s 34 passing touchdowns ranked fifth within the FBS, and he posted a 90.5 total grade in what was a quietly dominant season for the previous five-star recruit.

I did not notice Kyle McCord led faculty soccer in passing EPA. 89th percentile amongst drafted QBs.

Additionally, completions of 15+ air yards:1. Jaxson Dart (69)2. Kyle McCord (66)3. Cam Ward (66)9. Shedeur Sanders (51)

— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) February 24, 2025

Standing at 6’3” and 220 kilos, McCord resembles a quarterback that HC Kellen Moore (2018-2022), OC Doug Nussmeier (2018-2022), and QB coach Scott Tolzien (2020-2024) all had success with throughout their tenures with the Dallas Cowboys—former Professional Bowl sign caller Dak Prescott (6’2”, 238 kilos). Very like Prescott, the deep ball is McCord’s bread and butter. He has an excellent really feel for the pocket and maintains poise when confronted with stress, together with above-average ball placement and arm energy for these deep outs and fades. Nonetheless, the 22-year-old does have some inconsistency considerations, and his dangerous decision-making has been problematic at instances—significantly throughout his time at Ohio State.

With the chance of Derek Carr having performed his final sport within the black and gold rising, a McCord and Spencer Rattler QB competitors might make for an thrilling offseason and provides the brand new teaching workers a contemporary begin.

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It’s no secret the Saints love their Buckeyes, and this former four-star DB is smart as a Day 3 choose for New Orleans. At 6’1” and 195 kilos, Jordan Hancock could possibly be an intriguing addition not just for Brandon Staley but additionally for not too long ago promoted particular groups coordinator Phil Galiano, who’s protecting the Rizzi approach within the Massive Straightforward. Hancock has logged 139 complete particular groups snaps over his four-year collegiate profession and will make for a stable gunner reverse J.T. Grey if Rico Payton’s function is amplified this season at cornerback.

The 21-year-old was one of many extra underrated gamers on the reigning Nationwide Champion Buckeyes. In 16 video games, the senior had his greatest season but, recording 8 PBUs, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD, 2 pressured fumbles, 18 stops, 2 QB pressures, 1 sack, and 48 complete tackles on 730 complete snaps.

Hancock has some protection points he wants to scrub up, however he has nice dimension and energy within the slot and was excellent in that function for Ohio State. He spent 54.35% of the time (419 snaps) as a nickel nook in 2024, posting a career-best 75.6 total grade (77.3 tackling, 76.2 protection).