New Orleans Saints Mock Draft: Updated Day 2 Predictions

The first round of the 2015 NFL draft is in the books, and the New Orleans Saints had quite the eventful night with the addition of a highly rated offensive lineman and an athletic inside linebacker.

With its first pick, New Orleans nabbed Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Andrus Peat with the No. 13 overall selection. The pick further strengthens the Saints offensive line, as the 2014 Outland Trophy semifinalist comes in with an impressive list of positive attributes, namely size (6'7" and 313 pounds), power and agility.

By selecting Clemson Tigers inside linebacker Stephone Anthony at pick No. 31, New Orleans tended to a huge need on the defensive side of the ball. The former Tigers standout is one of the more athletic linebackers in the draft, and he should step in and play right away in coordinator Rob Ryan's 3-4 hybrid defense.

Friday marks Day 2 of the draft, and the Saints will have three selections to make. New Orleans holds pick No. 44 in Round 2 and picks No. 75 and No. 78 in Round 3. 

The Saints still have needs to fill, with the most pressing being that of a pass-rusher. 

Continue reading for an updated Saints mock draft, with picks from Round 1 being taken into account. 

Round 2

Pick No. 44: Eli Harold, Edge-Rusher, Virginia Cavaliers

With highly touted pass-rusher Vic Beasley off the board, the Saints opted to pass on edge defenders Bud Dupree, Shane Ray and Randy Gregory with their first pick. Gregory still remains on the board at the end of Round 1, but that doesn't mean he'll be around when New Orleans picks at No. 44. 

Even if he is, it doesn't seem likely that the Saints will take him. General manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton seem firm in their stance on avoiding players with questionable backgrounds.

Eli Harold from the Virginia Cavaliers is an extremely athletic edge-rusher in his own right, and at a chiseled 247 pounds, he doesn't share Gregory's issues with keeping his weight up. The 6'3" former Cavalier standout is explosive and strong, and he has an impressive array of moves. 

If the Saints take him in Round 2, they can address their top need, while adding another highly athletic player to their defensive front seven. 

Round 3

Pick No. 75: Sammie Coates, Wide Receiver, Auburn Tigers

The Saints have numerous needs to address on the defensive side, but they also are in need of a speedy deep threat on offense. 

With the loss of Kenny Stills, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans is down to one wideout who can stretch the field. Other than 2014 first-round pick Brandin Cooks, the Saints don't have a receiver who can take the top off defenses with the threat of the deep ball. 

Due to his impressive combination of speed and size (6'1" and 212 pounds) Auburn Tigers' Sammie Coates would provide just such a threat. His big-play capabilities would be utilized well in New Orleans, and he would give the Saints offense another legitimate threat on the outside. 

Pick No. 78: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Cornerback, Oregon Ducks

Even with the free-agent signings of Brandon Browner, Kyle Wilson and Delvin Breaux, the Saints should strongly consider bringing in another cover man at this spot. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu would be an excellent pickup in the third round. 

The Oregon Ducks product is a feisty cornerback who's highly competitive, and his press-man cover skills would make for a nice fit in Ryan's defense. 

He's coming off a knee that will keep him sidelined through the summer, but if the Saints decide to pull the trigger and pick him, they could draft a future starting outside corner. 

Round 5

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Pick No. 148: Leterrius Walton, Defensive Tackle, Central Michigan Chippewas

The Saints entered the draft needing help at all three levels of the defense, and a player like Leterrius Walton would give them another big body on the defensive line. 

Walton has impressive size at 6'5" and 319 pounds. Although he's still a raw player who could stand to fine-tune his game, he may eventually develop into a versatile defender capable of lining up in different spots along the line.

Pick No. 154: Jarvis Harrison, Guard, Texas A&M Aggies

Left guard Tim Lelito hasn't fully established his claim on the Saints' starting left guard position, and 31-year-old right guard Jahri Evans may not be around after next season. 

It, therefore, makes sense for New Orleans to bring in another guard, and Jarvis Harrison makes for an interesting mid-to-late-round prospect. With his bulky frame and quickness off the snap, he has the measurables of a solid run-blocker. If he falls to the Saints at No. 154, there's a good chance they'll consider taking him. 

Round 6

Pick No. 187: James O'Shaughnessy, Tight End, Illinois State Redbirds

With the trade of Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks, third-year tight end Josh Hill is expected to move into Graham's vacated spot as New Orleans' top receiving tight end. The Saints also will have Benjamin Watson on board as a blocker and an occasional receiving target, but they need another big-bodied pass-catcher at the position. 

James O'Shaughnessy is a talented athlete who would likely make for a nice fit in the downfield pass offense. He's a still-developing player who might learn a lot by playing with quarterback Drew Brees, and he's an interesting option as a Day 3 prospect. 

Round 7

Pick No. 230: Geneo Grissom, Outside Linebacker, Oklahoma Sooners

With the pick of Eli Harold in Round 2, New Orleans would have addressed its glaring need for a pass-rusher. That doesn't mean the Saints can't go with two edge defenders in the same draft, however, and Geneo Grissom of the Oklahoma Sooners could be a nice value pick in Round 7. 

The bulky 262-pounder has decent speed and strength coming off the edge. He's on the stiff side, but in time, he could possibly find his way onto the field in Ryan's defense.