New Orleans Saints 2012 Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions

The New Orleans Saints are facing tough times. Very tough times.

The Saints current bounty scandal and its suspensions have without a doubt hurt the team. Opinions have varied in regard to this situation and how NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has handled it.

With that being said, just like with everything else in life, they must keep moving forward. There is still a lot of football to concentrate on; a lot of holes to fix.

The Saints have addressed some of their issues through free agency; what they need to start looking into is defense (especially with 22 to 27 defensive player investigations pending for "Bounty Gate"), and maybe a backup for tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham is a key piece in the Saints offensive success. If he goes down that would be a disaster.

Now, unfortunately, the Saints are going to have to wait until the third round to get their first pick—due to Goodell's punishment. But that doesn't mean there aren't good players left.

You may be thinking, "ugh, not another one of these," but hey, there will be plenty of mock drafts up until the Draft. Players and teams will be analyzed and over-analyzed. Plus, things are always changing in the NFL: players get traded, suspended, retire, get picked up, etc.

Let's take a look at another Saints mock draft, taking into consideration all that has happened this offseason, and look at what the Saints should/will do.

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Third Round: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

With the hiring of new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and players involved in the bounty scandal looming, look for the Saints to address some of their concerns on the defensive side through the draft.

The Saints may lose one or both of their DT's. Both Aubrayo Franklin and Shaun Rogers are free agents. Since the Saints signed Bunkley, they may look to draft a good run-stuffing DT to play next to Bunkley.

Jerel Worthy is a 6'2" 308-pound powerful DT. Worthy decided to forgo his senior year at Michigan State to enter the 2012 NFL Draft. He is an athletic defensive lineman that has potential to be a force on the line. Although his sack numbers weren't flashy, he was still consistent in putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He is strong and explosive and can stand up blockers and blow up run plays.

Worthy would be a good selection for the Saints in the third round.

Fourth Round: Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas

The Saints are looking into upgrading their current personnel at the linebacker position. Vilma may be gone due to the bounty scandal, Shanle may be cut. Saints linebackers need to get faster.

Drafting OLB Keenan Robinson would be a good idea for the Saints. He has the physical tools and size to be a starting outside linebacker. Robinson is a terrific athlete with great movement and good cover skills and can keep up with the backs. He works well in space and is quick off the snap.

He may not make a big impact at outside linebacker immediately, but as time progresses can be a key player at the position. The Saints need more athletic linebackers, and Robinson is a good fit.

Fifth Round: Keith Tandy, DB, West Virginia

It's no secret the Saints gave up way too many yards through the air. The most recent example of that is this past NFC Championship game against the 49ers. Alex Smith scorched the defense. Alex Smith. Damage was done with yards after the catch.

The Saints secondary coverage and tackling abilities need to improve fast. And it doesn't help that the Saints may have lost Tracy Porter in free agency to the Denver Broncos.

Though Keith Tandy doesn't have the ideal size, at 5'10", he is good in man-to-man coverage, adept at breaking up passes and is aggressive, although his aggressiveness is also a con if double-moves are used on him. Tandy also has good open-field tackling skills, something the Saints definitely need to improve on in the secondary.

Sixth Round: Janzen Jackson, FS, McNeese State

Fellow Featured Columnist, Jason Bernos, has Janzen Jackson going in the seventh round. I happen to think he should go sooner than that. The Saints may run the risk of losing a gem like Jackson if they wait. With proper coaching, Jackson can be a steal.

Jackson is a good athlete with a quick first-step and exceptional 4.4 speed, so he has the speed to recover from a slow read or a bad angle. He is also a hard hitter who can jar the ball out of ball carriers. He just needs to work on his wrap-ups and footwork.

Sixth Round: James Hanna, TE, Oklahoma

With James Hanna's size, quickness, speed and hands, this would be a great selection for the Saints.

Yes, they have Jimmy Graham, but what happens if Graham goes down with an injury? The Saints can't afford to lose Graham to an injury without having a legitimate back up at the TE position.

James Hanna has great hands and concentration. He's a big guy so he's tough to bring down, and he can make the tough catches.

Hanna would be a nice backup to Graham.

Seventh Round: Donte Paige Moss, DE, North Carolina

I'm going to have to agree with Saints Featured Columnist, Will Osgood, on his prediction of Paige-Moss going to the Saints in the seventh round.

His ACL injury in his last game in 2011, along with some character concerns and game-play inconsistencies drops Paige-Moss' stock. But, boy, does he have potential. The talent is there—it's just his immaturity that brings him down.

He has the ability to shed blockers and make tackles. He has also shown flashes of being an aggressive pass-rusher, which is something the Saints need. Maybe they can develop Paige-Moss and use him as a situational pass-rusher.