New Orleans Saints Mock Draft: Instant Contributors in Every Round
The 2015 NFL draft is now three weeks away, and the New Orleans Saints are fine-tuning their draft board in hopes of finding instant contributors in every round.
Since the opening day of free agency on March 10, the Saints have been one of the most active teams in the league. General manager Mickey Loomis has been saddled with the challenge of lowering the salary-cap number while making major improvements to a squad that finished 7-9 last season.
Thanks to numerous trades, restructures and releases, Loomis has trimmed the Saints’ 2015 total cap number down to within just over $5 million of the salary cap. He still has work to do, but it's safe to assume the front office is now fully focused on preparing for the draft.
New Orleans has nine picks over the course of the three-day event, which kicks off April 30 in Chicago. The Saints have three of the top 44 selections and five of the top 78, which gives them an opportunity to reel in more than a few instant contributors.
Continue reading for my second Saints mock draft, with emphasis on players who can contribute right away.
Round 1, No. 13: Randy Gregory, Outside Linebacker, Nebraska
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The New Orleans pass rush failed to live up to preseason expectations in 2014, as the Saints struggled to apply consistent pressure on opposing signal-callers. While Loomis could opt to go the “best player available” route with the Saints’ first pick, it’s easy to envision him selecting an athletic edge defender who can get after the quarterback.
This year's draft class is loaded with edge-rushers, and Nebraska's Randy Gregory is perhaps the most talented of the bunch.
The 6'5", 235-pounder is long, strong and explosive, and he's a polished, well-coached defender with a wide variety of moves. He's also a highly competitive player who takes pride in his on-field toughness.
Unfortunately for Gregory, he tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine in late February, and his draft stock could fall as a result.
With such an abundance of pass-rushers in this year's draft, teams can afford to pass on a talent like Gregory and still get a high-quality player. Vic Beasley and Shane Ray are highly rated pass-rushers in their own right, and both will now likely go ahead of the former Cornhusker.
Still, Gregory's jaw-dropping talent is undeniable. His diverse skill set is a perfect match for what New Orleans needs, and the Saints should run to the podium if he’s available at pick No. 13.
Round 1, No. 31: Jaelen Strong, Wide Receiver, Arizona State
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With the recent trades of All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham and starting wideout Kenny Stills, the Saints passing game is now in need of another weapon.
This year’s group of wideouts and tight ends isn’t quite as strong as last year’s, but some serious talent should still be left on the board near the end of Round 1.
Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong is projected to go anywhere from the mid-first to the early second round, and he would likely be able to step in and immediately contribute for several teams in 2015.
At 6’2” and a sturdy 217 pounds, he’s a big receiver who can make the tough catches. With 31-year-old Marques Colston entering his 10th NFL season, New Orleans could stand to get a little younger at this position, and Strong could help form a formidable future duo with speedster Brandin Cooks.
The 2014 All-Pac 12 performer excels at reeling in the back-shoulder throw, which, as Saints fans well know, is one of Drew Brees’ specialties.
He also has superb run-after-catch abilities, and if the Saints snag him, they’ll be acquiring a well-rounded, physically gifted wideout.
Round 2, No. 44: Denzel Perryman, Inside Linebacker, Miami
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While the secondary and the pass rush were glaring weaknesses last season for the Saints’ No. 31-ranked defense, deficiencies at inside linebacker didn’t help matters.
The Saints released three-year starting inside ‘backer Curtis Lofton just before free agency began, and they subsequently acquired 29-year-old Dannell Ellerbe via trade with the Miami Dolphins.
While Ellerbe will bring some much-needed athleticism and coverage skills to the linebacking corps, the group could still use a shot of youth.
Miami’s Denzel Perryman stands out on film with his violent tackling, and he makes for a nice option in the second round for New Orleans.
At 5’11”, the former Hurricane doesn’t have ideal height for the position, but he more than compensates for his lack of length with his highly physical style of play.
Capable of leveling ball-carriers in bone-rattling fashion, Perryman is proficient at shedding blocks and making plays. He would bring an added degree of intensity to coordinator Rob Ryan’s defense, and Loomis should strongly consider making him a Saint with pick No. 44.
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Round 3, No. 75: Ali Marpet, Guard, Hobart College
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New Orleans parted ways with left guard Ben Grubbs during the first week of free agency when the team traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
The Saints elected to keep 2014 Pro Bowl selection Jahri Evans on board, but like the inside ‘backer spot, they’re in need of some youth at this position.
Former backup Tim Lelito will get the first look at the spot vacated by Grubbs, but that doesn’t mean he has the job locked down. A healthy competition for the starting spot could well be on the horizon.
Hobart’s Ali Marpet is one of the more intriguing prospects of the entire draft board, and he may be the man who can challenge Lelito for the role immediately.
Coming from a Division III school, Marpet obviously doesn’t have game experience against elite-level college competition. He more than held his own at the Senior Bowl in January, however, and he followed up that performance with a fine showing at the combine.
Marpet has adequate size (6’4” and 307 lbs) and elite athleticism, and he plays with the mean streak desired in an interior offensive lineman.
He has the potential to develop into a long-time starter in the NFL, and the Saints shouldn’t pass on him if he’s still around at pick No. 75.
Round 3, No. 78: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Cornerback, Oregon
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To put it mildly, New Orleans struggled at the cornerback spot in 2014. There was no doubt the team had to upgrade at the position this offseason, and it did just that with the free-agent signing of Brandon Browner.
The Saints also brought in Delvin Breaux and Kyle Wilson, and they parted ways with Patrick Robinson and Corey White.
Multiple quality cover men are needed over the course of a season, however, and New Orleans could easily draft another corner in the middle rounds.
There’s a lot to like about Oregon’s Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, and he could well be a steal in the third round. The former Duck possesses fluid hips and exceptional instincts in coverage. In addition, he always plays with a lot of confidence, which is important for any corner in Rob Ryan’s aggressive scheme.
Ekpre-Olomu’s biggest drawback is the fact that he’s still recovering from a knee injury suffered in December. He should be fully recovered in time for fall camp, however, and he could compete for playing time in New Orleans’ nickel and dime packages in 2015.
Round 5, No. 148: Tyler Kroft, Tight End, Rutgers
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There’s no denying that the Saints will miss Jimmy Graham next season. New Orleans traded away its star tight end and leading pass-catcher on Day 1 of free agency, and even though 2014 backup Josh Hill is talented and capable, it's a good idea to bring in another receiving tight end via the draft.
Possessing similar athleticism to Hill, Kroft stands 6’5” and would provide quarterback Drew Brees with another sizable target in the passing game. He can challenge defenses vertically with the seam route, and unlike Graham, he’s a capable blocker.
If the Saints take him, look for Kroft to contribute alongside Hill and Benjamin Watson next season.
Round 5, No. 154: Geneo Grissom, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Oklahoma
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It wouldn't be wise for the Saints to place all their hopes of improving their pass rush on the shoulders of one draft pick, even a first-rounder.
Given the depth of the position in this year's draft class, New Orleans could bring in a second edge-rusher in the mid-to-late rounds.
Oklahoma's Geneo Grissom is someone to keep an eye on in the fifth round. He shows excellent burst off the edge and has the strength to have his way with tight ends at the line of scrimmage.
Even if he's unable to garner playing time on defense as a rookie, he would at least see action on special teams.
Round 6, No. 187: Ellis McCarthy, Defensive Line, UCLA
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It’s not exactly commonplace for a 6’3”, 338-pound defensive lineman, who's quick, agile and versatile, to fall to the sixth round of the draft.
This scenario could easily play out, however, when it comes to Ellis McCarthy. After battling injuries throughout his collegiate career, he unexpectedly declared for the draft following an underwhelming junior season at UCLA.
Possessing similar build to that of current Saints starting defensive end Akiem Hicks, McCarthy is quick off the ball for a man his size, and he can take on multiple blockers. Despite his propensity to disappear for long stretches of games, the Saints could afford to take a risk on a talent like McCarthy in Round 6.
With his ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line, he could contribute next year for New Orleans in a relief role.
Round 7, No. 230: Jamon Brown, Offensive Tackle, Louisville
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New Orleans is set at offensive tackle for the 2015 season, as Terron Armstead and Zach Strief are both back as starters. Given the fact that Strief is 31 years old, though, it isn't out of line for the Saints to bring in a fresh face or two.
The 6'4", 323-pound Jamon Brown doesn't lack for size, and with his startling quickness, he could make for a quality pickup in Round 7. The former Louisville offensive tackle won't come in and challenge for a starting position, but given his impressive size and quickness, he could compete for a backup role in fall camp.
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