New Orleans Saints' Post-Draft Wish List

The 2013 NFL draft is over. It is time for teams to begin signing the undrafted free agents.

As Sean Payton told the media Saturday after the New Orleans Saints' final pick in the sixth round, using the success the team has enjoyed in the undrafted free-agency period is the "No. 1 pitch" to recruiting players. 

The Saints are going hard after certain targeted prospects as this is being written. 

Here are some of the players who should be high on the Saints' wish list. 

Ryan Griffin, QB, Tulane

With the Saints' attachment to Tulane, partially from residing in the same city, and also from Curtis Johnson's time as Saints wide receivers coach, there is a natural connection with Ryan Griffin. 

Mike Loyko of NEPatriotsDraft.com tweeted prior the end of the draft that Griffin "could be headed to New Orleans."

Griffin was a player many thought would sneak into the draft in the sixth or seventh round. The Green Wave product should be ecstatic to have the opportunity to join the professional team in the city he played his college ball. 

Payton said Saturday it was not a prerequisite to sign a developmental quarterback but that he would "absolutely" like to add one, according to NOLA.com's Mike Triplett.

It all seems to add up to Griffin joining the Saints very soon.  

Updated: Ryan Griffin signed with the Saints Saturday night (h/t Tammy Nunez, NOLA.com).

Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford

If anyone claims to understand how Chase Thomas went undrafted, they are lying. It is a complete mystery. 

Whatever the answer happens to be, there is no way some team doesn't take a chance on the guy who was assumed to be a top-100 player by most scouting services. 

With the Saints still needing an outside linebacker who can hold the point of attack against the run, and provide a pass rush, Thomas is a great option in undrafted free agency. 

Updated: According to NFL Draft Insider, Chase Thomas signed with New Orleans Saturday night. 

Mario Benavides, OC, Louisville

Not surprisingly, Mario Benavides went undrafted. It appeared for some time that would be his plight in this draft. That is good news for the New Orleans Saints, who love his playing style at the center position. 

His strength is in the "phone booth." That is precisely the type of player the Saints want at center. It is almost a no-brainer for Mickey Loomis and Co. to make a run at Benavides. 

Lawrence Okoye, DL, Croydon, London

It was a little surprising to see Lawrence Okoye go undrafted, despite zero football-playing experience. The Saints were one of two teams to bring him in for a pre-draft workout and meetings. 

It was obvious the team was not going to put all of its defensive line eggs into this one basket. As a result, the team drafted John Jenkins from Georgia in the third round. 

Still, Okoye should be one of the Saints' priority free agents, if they even liked him a little bit in their time with him earlier this month. 

Updated: According to NEPatriotsDraft.com, Okoye signed with San Francisco. 

With Okoye signing with the 49ers, the point being made here is that the Saints should still be in the market for a player similar to Okoye. 

WR: Alec Lemon, Syracuse; Connor Vernon, Duke; Zach Rogers, Tennessee

Alec Lemon played for four years under Doug Marrone at Syracuse, meaning he would be used to many of the Saints' passing concepts and offense as a whole. He's a big, physical receiver who can make things happen after the catch with a grinding running style that makes him tough to take down. 

Connor Vernon is the ACC's all-time leading receiver from Duke. David Cutcliffe eked every ounce of ability out of him. That's a good thing. Vernon has a similar skill set to players such as Wes Welker and Danny Amendola (and that's not just because of his race). 

Zach Rogers is a player who was overlooked at Tennessee because of the physical freaks surrounding him in the Volunteers' receiving corps. He is an outstanding possession receiver, though. 

The team cannot hurt itself by signing a trio of highly productive college receivers ready to compete immediately. 

RB: Montel Harris, Temple; D.J. Harper, Boise

Either of these running backs would fit the style of running back the Saints like. 

Each has a compact style. Each is shifty, yet tough. Each can catch the ball out of the backfield. None are great pass protectors, but that is a trait which can be learned. 

The Saints need another body for camp after sending Chris Ivory out in a trade. 

ILB: Kevin Reddick, UNC; Bruce Taylor, Va Tech; Jonathan Stewart, Texas A&M

Kevin Reddick is a thumper who really only lacks movement abilities. If he is allowed to sit back and have ball-carriers come to him, he can be a 100-tackle-a-year player. 

Bruce Taylor and Jonathan Stewart are more active, quick-twitched athletes. Both could be said to be undersized. But each makes up for that with superior hips and a nose for the football. 

Both could be amazing special teams players with the potential to become fine inside linebackers. 

OLB: Sean Progar, Northern Illinois; Meshak Williams, K-State

Both of these players were undersized 4-3 defensive ends. Both possess the abilities to be elite NFL pass-rushers when they are asked to play from a three-point stance. 

The Saints used a curveball in the draft to select Rufus Johnson in the sixth round. It was confirmed by the Saints after the selection that he will play outside linebacker. 

Still, the team should consider both these players, in addition to Chase Thomas, as a way to hedge its bet. 

Competition is always the best method for fielding a competitive team anyway. 

K: Drew Alleman, LSU

LSU fans may have grown weary with Drew Alleman. But he's just the sort of kicker the Saints have brought in regularly throughout the Sean Payton-era. 

He has made some clutch kicks throughout his career. Don't discount that when considering kicking options. Providing more competition for Garrett Hartley would not be a bad thing. There are other good kicking options in undrafted free agency besides Alleman as well.