The New Orleans Saints start out with the 28th pick in this year’s draft. Luckily, they have eight picks in total to fill out their roster. The Saints weren’t able to fully dabble in the free-agent market due to the cap hell they were in. They lost a few key pieces and will make it a priority to try to replace them. Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, and cornerback Janoris Jenkins leave the biggest holes. The Saints also are without Drew Brees heading into the season for the first time since 2005. Do they address quarterback this year? Let’s take a look at all of the players they may draft in less than two weeks.
For this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 1, Pick 28, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Linebacker is a position that the Saints will need to address and with the athletic and versatile JOK still on the board, they grab him. The 6’2 221-lb hybrid can play slot, safety, and outside linebacker. He performs well in space and could be a valuable chess piece on Dennis Allen’s defense. Owusu-Koramoah won the Butkus Award for the best linebacker and was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. The athleticism and versatility are too much to pass on at the end of the first round.
For more on Owusu-Koramoah, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 2, Pick 60, Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
While wide receiver and cornerback are both needs here, the Saints can’t resist the upside to Rousseau. He has minimal game tape, but what there is shows an athletic freak with an incredible wingspan and ability to get into the backfield. The Miami pass rusher finished second in the nation in sacks in 2019 to Chase Young. Although he opted out of 2020, the physical traits are there as he impressed with his speed (4.67 40-yard dash) and burst (1.57 10-yard split). He is raw and probably won’t hit full potential until year two or three but the ceiling is just too high to pass up for Sean Payton and crew.
For more on Rousseau, check out our scouting report here.
Round 3, Pick 98, Ar’Darius Washington, S, TCU
The pick here of Washington shows that Allen will be getting creative with his coverages and blitzes. While slightly undersized (5’8, 179 lbs) and listed as a safety, Washington showed adequate skills in man coverage when asked to. He has a nose for the ball and is good against the run if he needs to step up in the box. The former Horned Frog could fit the Vonn Bell mode on the Saints defense and may be better than Bell in coverage.
For more on Washington, check out our scouting report here.
Round 3, Pick 105, Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Here is where Payton starts his offense in the draft. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill will both likely be free agents next season so with their second compensatory pick they grab the signal-caller from Florida. Trask has the prototypical quarterback body at 6’5 and 240 lbs. He isn’t going to break any big runs, but his size will allow him to make the short-yardage ones with ease. Trask has a good arm and is well-suited for short accurate throws. He is intelligent and will be able to learn and run Payton’s offense. Trask can sit as the third-string QB and learn the system without the pressure of having to succeed now.
For more on Trask, check out our scouting report here.
Round 4, Pick 133, Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
Williams is a solid possession receiver who uses his size to his advantage (6’2, 224 lbs). Although the Saints could use more speed, they will go with floor here and the safest bet at the position at this point in the draft. Williams could benefit from the veteran Saints offense and precision routes. His athleticism is there, he just needs to refine his route-running and get better on his release.
For more on Williams, check out our scouting report here.
Round 6, Pick 218, Shakur Brown, CB, Michigan State
Brown has very little experience with only 12 starts at the college level. In 2020, though, he managed five interceptions. He is a work in progress but shows some good coverage skills and an ability to stay with wide receivers through their routes. With time to develop, Brown could be a solid number two corner in another year or two.
Round 7, Pick 229, Austin Watkins, WR, UAB
The Saints grab their deep threat right here. Watkins accelerates quickly and has very good hands even when covered. While his route-running is suspect, if he can get down the field, Winston or Hill will be able to drop a few bombs on him.
Round 7, Pick 255, DJ Daniel, CB, Georgia
The former Bulldog rounds out the Saints 2021 draft. He has decent coverage skills and works well on special teams. He can be an important depth piece and will battle for a spot in the secondary.
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