Saints Draft Place after Week 16

The New Orleans Saints had one in every of their most embarrassing losses on Monday Night time Soccer in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Even with this loss, the Saints haven’t any motion in draft place and are nonetheless at decide 10.

The Prospects

Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs

For a couple of weeks, I’ve targeted on the Saints’ picks, whether or not they traded again or alternatives in different rounds, however this week, I needed to return to the primary spherical. The potential prospects New Orleans might draft haven’t modified a lot, however some gamers have an actual likelihood of rising due to the offseason draft course of. Beginning on the defensive aspect of the ball, Oregon defensive sort out Derrick Harmon has been a giant riser all through the season. Harmon is an especially gifted run defender who excels in studying the play and shifting into gaps to cease the run. He makes use of a go-to rip transfer, agility, and a pure bull rush to get into the backfield. This makes Harmon a sport wreaker in run and cross protection, however he nonetheless is growing as a cross rusher. Being 6-foot-5 and 310 lbs, Harmon can tackle double groups and assist open up the offensive line for his teammates to have one-on-one matchups.

The Saints line of defense wants upgrades, and though Derrick Harmon isn’t the highest defensive lineman, his potential may be very excessive. As a run defender, Harmon can be a giant improve for the Saints, and if he can turn into a fantastic cross rusher, Harmon might be among the finest defensive tackles within the league. If Harmon can have good offseason testing and conferences, there’s an actual likelihood his draft inventory will skyrocket to a prime 10 decide.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs

Sticking with the Oregon Geese, offensive sort out Josh Conerly Jr. might be a fantastic possibility for the Saints’ first-round decide. Conerly is a real offensive sort out, and there’s no cause to maneuver him away from there within the NFL. In safety, Conerly shines as an elite cross protector who can shut down velocity rushers. Towards fellow 2025 prospect Abdul Carter, Conerly was wonderful and, at instances, utterly shut down the elite edge rusher. When blocking rushers who depend on energy, Conerly will battle to carry is personal and, at instances, will get pushed again method too simply. In run blocking, he’s athletic and might transfer very quick to remain in entrance of the RB and block. He isn’t a run blocker who can depend on energy to push defenders out of the play.

All through the season, Trevor Penning has proven nice indicators of improvement and had dominate performances. These highs had been nice and might hopefully proceed, however the lows this season had been unhealthy. The Saints would possibly need to discover that improve at proper sort out within the draft, and the primary spherical might be the place that occurs. New Orleans will want Conerly to point out enhancements in the course of the draft course of to really feel snug choosing him at 10. Drafting Conerly would considerably improve the cross blocking on the offensive line. He performs primarily because the left sort out, however the Saints will most likely transfer him to the best. Having Conerly and Fuaga because the tackles of the long run might make the Saints offensive line among the finest pass-protecting traces within the league. Sure, left guard will nonetheless should be upgraded, however the basis will probably be there. Conerly is also a fantastic sort out associate with Fuaga. Whereas Taliese Fuaga is best at using power when blocking, Conerly makes use of finesse and velocity. The principle fear for the Saints and different groups would be the run blocking, but when Josh Conerly can present enhancements in that space, then an increase to the highest 10 isn’t out of the query.