Updated 7-round Saints mock draft with finalized picks order
The NFL finally released its full order of selections in the 2021 NFL draft, so it’s time for an updated Saints mock draft — covering eight picks in seven rounds. To come up with something at least sort of realistic, I simulated a full run with the Draft Network mock draft machine, making my picks for the Saints with input from followers on Twitter while letting the website’s A.I. automatically sort the rest. Here’s what I came up with:
Round 1, Pick 28: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
Credit: AP Photo/Sam Hodde
So we're running off the rails right from the jump. I don’t believe Lance will be available at this spot in real life, but blame the mock draft machine’s algorithm for pushing him down the board. In reality, he’s someone the Saints may consider trading up for if he falls beneath the top-4 expectations (remember, the Chiefs traded up from 27 to 10 for Patrick Mahomes). He’s the kind of quarterback the Saints have been looking into lately and we’re lucky to draft him. The ball pops out of his hand almost regardless of how he sets his feet, which is rare. Throw him into an open competition with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill this year and see who wins the starting gig before planning to give the kid the keys to the offense in 2022.
Round 2, Pick 60: WR Elijah Moore, Mississippi
Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
There were some corners available here, and that’s a more pressing need given the hole opposite Marshon Lattimore, but Moore was a better prospect than all of them. He’s the ideal big-play threat the offense lacks, someone who can reliably catch passes sent his way and make a man miss before streaking downfield. Lane Kiffin compared him to Steve Smith as another undersized but gifted athlete who played up to his competition. We’ll find out soon if he has Smith’s rare second gear at his March 25 pro day.
Round 3, Pick 98: CB Benjamin St-Juste, Minnesota
Credit: AP Photo/Rusty Costanza
St-Juste isn’t the most experienced college corner, but the Saints have kept relatively-expensive veterans like Patrick Robinson and P.J. Williams around for a reason. He wouldn’t be pushed into a starting job right away, though you have to hope he could beat career backups like those two for the opportunity. That’s the risk you take when you cut a proven starter like Janoris Jenkins without a clear replacement plan. With that said: he’s tall and has long arms, and unlike Stanley Jean-Baptiste he’s been playing the position since high school. St-Juste is exactly the sort of prospect Kris Richard drafted and developed with the Seahawks.
Round 3, Pick 105: DL Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA
Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s your Sheldon Rankins replacement. Like Rankins, Odighizuwa runs a little light for an interior lineman at 280 pounds, but he’s got the strength and explosiveness to make up for it. He caught more than a couple guards asleep at the wheel by beating them off the snap and resetting the line of scrimmage with heavy hands. He needs to continue adding muscle mass and learning the finer points of the game, but he’s an excellent prospect for Ryan Nielsen to work with.
Round 4, Pick 133: LB Monty Rice, Georgia
Credit: Athens Banner-Herald-USA TODAY NETWORK
This is a point where we could start to look at positions outside our immediate needs. There were several running backs (Kylin Hill and Trey Sermon) on the board, either of whom can replace Latavius Murray at a fraction of the cost. Tight ends were a popular suggestion but the cupboard was pretty bare. I liked Iowa left tackle Alaric Jackson at this spot, even if there’s grumblings that his arms are too short to play outside in the NFL. But given the lack of depth at linebacker -- Alex Anzalone and Craig Robertson are both unsigned free agents -- I went with Rice. He tackles really well and is very athletic, but needs to read and react faster and isn't an impact player in coverage right now.
Round 6, Pick 218: CB Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas
Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
I wanted to double down on corner after surveying the offensive line prospects and, well, feeling discouraged about going in that direction. It came down to two options: California’s Camryn Bynum and Central Arkansas’ Robert Rochell. Bynum is an excellent zone corner who simply doesn’t miss tackles. Rochell is a gifted athlete who dominated a low level of competition. Either of them would have to earn their stripes on special teams to compete for a starting job, but in that scenario I’m going with Rochell as the blank slate for Richard to coach up; his speed gives him an edge over Bynum in the kicking game, too.
Round 7, Pick 229: DE Wyatt Hubert, Kansas State
Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
This was a toss up between Hubert and Iowa receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, a speedster I’ve become a big fan of. But I couldn’t justify adding another wideout after drafting Moore earlier, especially without much going on at defensive end for the Saints. Cam Jordan isn’t getting younger, Marcus Davenport doesn’t appear to be getting better, and Carl Granderson isn’t going to make up for both of them alone. To that end, Hubert is a steady player strong against the pass, who consistently racked up pressures in college. He can help solidify the passing downs rotation right away.
Round 7, Pick 249: RT Foster Sarell, Stanford
Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Foster is described as adequate in every way: adequate technique, adequate athleticism and flexibility for someone who stands 6-foot-7, and an adequate football I.Q. who doesn’t make many mistakes. His greatest quality, though, is the most important for a blocker -- his pass protection, where he allowed comparable pressure rates to first-round prospects like Andre Dillard and Penei Sewell. The questions surround his upside and whether he can develop into a starting-quality player. Fortunately, he won’t be rushed to do that in New Orleans behind Ryan Ramczyk.
1
1
