April is ramping up the draft and I’m 100% here for it. With all of the mock drafts, Top 30 Visits, Pro Days and a lot more, we are reaching the peak of NFL Draft Hysteria. But now we are getting more towards where more people are getting a good feel on how each team’s boards will be. Who will go where and such.
This is a mock draft based on guy feel. Based on what teams could be looking for and how I believe Dennis Allen wants to do it. I will go for what I think how it will go for them. And of course, state some possible back up options. No trades either.
Pick 29:
Cam Smith - Cornerback, South Carolina 9.68 RAS
Starting off the first round with a curveball. I can see the Saints going corner in the first round for these two reasons: One, the Saints had horrible cornerback health luck last year. Lattimore missed 12 games, Adebo missed four games and played poorly, Alontae Taylor missed five or six games, and Bradley Roby missed four games. Dennis could see getting better depth as a priority should he fear that the plague will hit again. Two, Dennis wants a good slot corner. Saints did bring in Lonnie Johnson on a one-year deal, who can play slot, so it might not be as high on the need list. But upgrading the corner depth and play could be high. Cam Smith can play slot and outside. Per PFF, Cam has logged almost 200 snaps in 2022 at the slot. He is pretty physical and can play the run well. Shown to have pretty good ball skills and would upgrade the depth.
Possible Alternatives:
DL Mazi Smith
EDGE Isaiah Foskey
TE Michael Mayer
Pick 40:
Edge/Defensive Lineman Keion White - Georgia Tech, 9.91 RAS
Continuing to improve the defense, Saints get their edge rusher with some nice versatility. Keion White can line up in the interior and on the edge. He has shown great size and athleticism to be a fun piece for the Saints defensive front. His biggest red flag will be that he is 24. He is pretty raw which would make him available at 40 as well as a bunch of other players. White would be perfect for this team.
Other Possibilities:
EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
DL Bryan Bresee
TE Darnell Washington
Pick 71
Defensive Linemen Keeanu Benton - Wisconsin, 8.86 RAS
Continuing to improve the defense, next is going upgrade that porous run defense. This draft might not have a good amount of pass rushing defensive linemen, but there are quite a few with good run stuffing and pass rush upside. Keeanu Benton would be great at plugging the hole. There might be better players at nose guard at 71, but Benton probably has the best pass rush potential of players remaining. Benton is a strong lineman that uses his hands well to fight off centers. Uses brute force to disrupt his gaps. He could go a couple picks ahead of 71 but if he is there, he would be a great addition.
Other Possibilities:
EDGE Andre Carter
WR AT Perry
DL Siaki Ika
Pick 115
OT/OG Jaelyn Duncan - Maryland, 9.46 RAS
This might seem unrealistic, but I think Duncan will slide in the draft. Some might think he will be a third but I can see him falling to the fourth. Duncan is a four-year starter at Maryland and has played exclusively at LT. His concern his how he handles at pass protection as a tackle. And would likely need to kick inside going forward. He does well getting into space and pulls incredibly well. He should be a good backup/potential starter.
Other Possibilities
OL Andrew Vorhees
LB Dorian Williams
S Jartavius Martin
Pick 146
Running back Sean Tucker - Syracuse, 9.75 RAS
Saints are probably going to address running back in Day 3. They added Jamaal Williams and even with Kamara receiving a potential suspension, they might not be in dire need to address running back. Tucker would be a fine addition while we wait on the looming Kamara punishment. Tucker is a fast back with some punishing speed. He does have potential to being a solid pass catcher and can use some work.
Other Possibilities:
RB Chase Brown
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
DL Jerrod Clark
Pick 165
Wide Receiver Andrei Isovias - Princeton, 9.95 RAS
This would be amazing if he is still there by this pick. Dennis Allen has been looking at these receivers closely and likely wants to upgrade the depth. Iosivas is a fun project with fantastic athleticism. He might be gone by them but he would be perfect. Just perfect.
Other Possibilities:
TE Will Mallory
LB SirVocea Dennis
QB Aiden O’Connell
Pick 227
Quarterback Clayton Tune - Houston, 9.8 RAS
A fun QB addition to have just because would be Clayton Tune. Either him, O’Connell or Haener would be nice as young backups that can compete. I don’t think of them as possible starters but as nice pieces. Tune is the more athletic of the bunch. Pretty accurate with a limited arm.
Other Possibilities:
QB Stetson Bennett
TE Cameron Latu
OL McClendon Curtis
Pick 257:
FB Hunter Luepke - North Dakota St., 9.68 RAS
And with the last pick, the Saints get depth and possibly a fun pick from a small school. Fullback may be the last possible thing to worry about, but why not get fun with it? Always. Look. To. Upgrade.
Other Possibilities:
LB Aubrey Miller
DL Dante Stills
WR Justin Shorter
And that concludes the mock. I might do another one the week of.