Yaccarino: Saints 3-round mock draft

The New Orleans Saints season was rocky, and the roster is in a worrying spot going into the offseason. Veteran gamers are getting very near retirement, among the younger expertise has had a disappointing season, and the roster is lacking expertise. With the present cap scenario the group is in, free company is not going to be a spot the place the Saints discover important upgrades, in order that leaves the NFL Draft as the one possibility. The prospect rankings are nonetheless very fluid and relying on who the subsequent Saints head coach is, particular prospects could also be prioritized larger than others. Nevertheless, with the Saints season concluded, now can be a good time to see who New Orleans might choose within the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.

Spherical 1, decide 9 – OL Will Campbell

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Within the first spherical, the Saints are at a really fascinating spot at decide 9. Going with the perfect obtainable prospect makes plenty of sense right here, and relying on the variety of quarterbacks chosen earlier than this spot, the Saints can have among the prime prospects within the draft drop to them. On this mock draft, I solely had two quarterbacks chosen, so the choices at 9 have been extra restricted, however LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell was nonetheless on the board and needed to be the choice. At LSU, Campbell was named the beginning left sort out and captain as a real freshman. Doing this within the SEC is unbelievably spectacular, and since then, Campbell has vastly improved, was given the quantity 7, and has been a dominant pressure. In case you are not acquainted with the quantity 7 at LSU, this quantity is given to gamers who’re prime skills and leaders of the group, and Campbell was the one offensive lineman in LSU historical past to do that. At sort out, Campbell is an incredible move protector. Per PFF, he has solely given up 4 sacks in his faculty profession. His run blocking wants to enhance, however Campbell has proven the flexibility to be taught and enhance, so this shouldn’t be a difficulty within the NFL. His communication earlier than the snap can be extraordinarily spectacular. The principle subject with Will Campbell goes to be the arm size. This may occasionally have an effect on his possibilities of enjoying sort out within the NFL, so a transfer to protect/heart could also be greatest for his future within the league.

New Orleans choosing Campbell at 9 would imply they’ve gone with offensive line within the first spherical for a second straight yr, however Campbell was the perfect participant obtainable, and so they want enhancements within the trenches. Trevor Penning has made strides this previous season, however not sufficient for his spot to be a certain factor subsequent season. If the Saints do view Campbell as an OT, they’ll both transfer Taliese Fuaga again to his faculty place of RT or put Campbell there and transfer Penning to LG. The opposite possibility is simply placing Campbell at guard as a substitute of sort out. Sure, drafting a guard at 9 is a bit early, however the NFL is displaying how important guards have gotten. Working is the main target of many groups, and the perfect franchises within the league have constructed dominant offensive traces. A line of LT-Taliese Fuaga, LG-Will Campbell, C-Erik McCoy, RG-Cesar Ruiz, and RT-Trevor Penning would closely enhance the offense. The working recreation can be significantly better, the communication can be excellent, and whoever is at quarterback would pressured so much much less. This isn’t a flashy decide, however video games are received within the trenches, and the Saints want to enhance in that space.

Spherical 2, decide 40 – DT Walter Nolen

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The Saints go to protection within the second spherical of the mock draft with the number of defensive sort out Walter Nolen. Earlier than transferring to Ole Miss, Nolen performed for Texas A&M and had a formidable sophomore yr, however he was nonetheless uncooked and wanted to enhance. At Ole Miss, he put the whole lot collectively and have become top-of-the-line defensive tackles within the nation. His athleticism jumps off of the web page with nice pace and spectacular power. His influence in run protection can’t be understated. Nolen’s capability to get to the backfield and blowup performs is excellent. He has the power to cease working backs from getting away and is nice at closing dashing lanes. Additionally, Nolen generally is a distinction maker in move rush, however enhancements nonetheless should be made.

Run protection was the principle weak point of Saints 2024 season, and if they need any success in 2025, the roster wants to enhance on this space. Including Walter Nolen’s run protection can be a implausible addition to the line of defense. If the subsequent Saints defensive coordinator can develop his move rush, Nolen could possibly be top-of-the-line defensive tackles within the league. Including a prospect like Nolen subsequent to Bryan Bresee would additionally free Bresee’s recreation and make him much more of an influence participant. Walter Nolen can be attending this yr’s Senior Bowl, which is a giant plus for the Saints.

Spherical 3, decide 71 – DL Ashton Gillotte

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As I discussed earlier than, the trenches will be a magnet for the Saints early within the draft, and with the third decide in a row, that is the case. Edge rusher Ashton Gillotte within the third spherical can be a house run choice. At Louisville, Gillotte performs each edge rusher and defensive sort out for the Cardinals. He’s an influence participant at each positions and is a grasp at blowing up performs. Off the sting, Gillotte is nice at utilizing energy to push again tackles, however he’s additionally nice at utilizing arm size to get previous blocks. Though Gillotte is probably not the perfect athlete or have nice pace, he nonetheless makes use of these facets to beat offensive linemen, even when he’s a worse athlete. At defensive sort out, Gillotte will outpower most guards he faces. His capability to push linemen again is spectacular, making a giant distinction in each run protection and move rush.

Lately, the Saints haven’t had the perfect luck when drafting edge rushers. With Cam Jordan growing older and Chase Younger most likely leaving in free company, the Saints must improve this place group. This roster wants a no 1 edge rusher, and though I don’t suppose Ashton Gillotte can be this, he generally is a excellent edge 2 or 3. His effectiveness at each edge and defensive sort out will enable the Saints to make use of him everywhere in the line of defense. As an edge rusher, Gillotte is a bit undersized, however he has some efficient pass-rush strikes and bodily traits that may enable him to get to the QB. This can be a little bit of a course of for him to get to his highest potential at edge, however that’s positive for a third-round decide. Gillotte can be nice at coping with double-team blocks at defensive sort out, and the Saints want extra gamers who can do this.

Spherical 3, decide 91 – RB TreVeyon Henderson

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The Saints have this choice due to the Marshon Lattimore commerce with the Commanders. With Washington at present within the playoffs, this decide will transfer a bit relying on the place they end within the playoffs, however as of now, that is at decide 91.

With the primary three picks spent on bettering the defensive and offensive line, the Saints have extra freedom with this choice. This yr’s draft has top-of-the-line RB courses shortly, and the Saints want to return away with at the least one in all these prospects. The third spherical can be the proper time to pick out Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson. He’s undersized at 5-foot-10, 200 lbs, however doesn’t play prefer it. Henderson has good power, permitting him to simply break tackles and combat for extra yards. The principle facet of Henderson’s recreation comes from his pace. He has glorious acceleration, and in lots of performs this season, he speeds proper previous defenders for giant features. Henderson can be a pass-catching menace and may make superb performs from display passes. In move safety, Henderson is the whole lot a group would need. He can do nicely holding off defenders but in addition completely pancake whoever he’s set to dam.

At present, the Saints can be getting into the 2025 season with Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and Jamaal Williams as their three beginning working backs. Miller has handled accidents at a worrying fee, and there’s an excellent probability Jamaal Williams can be off the group earlier than the beginning of coaching camp. This makes a little bit of a gap at working again, and TreVeyon Henderson matches a lot of what the Saints worth. Henderson’s move safety is stellar, which might fill the outlet left by Jamaal Williams. Additionally, the display recreation is all the time essential within the Saints’ recreation plan, and Henderson can be an amazing weapon so as to add to the offense. As well as, drafting Henderson would deliver a unique menace to the Saints working recreation. His pace is one thing the roster has solely seen at broad receiver and can be a pleasant praise to Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller’s recreation.