New Orleans Saints Mock Draft: B/R Community Top 100 and 7-Round Results

It’s officially draft week in the NFL, and that means it’s time for another seven-round New Orleans Saints mock draft.

New Orleans, which is coming off a 7-9 season in 2014, heads into one of its most important drafts in the last several years. The Saints have nine selections at their disposal, which is the most the franchise has had since 2002.

The draft, which begins Thursday night, will provide general manager Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton with the opportunity to inject their squad with a large dose of talented young football players. Loomis has already made some major waves this offseason with a series of bold roster moves, and he'll attempt to build on those moves this week as the New Orleans franchise looks toward the future. 

This mock was done differently than in previous weeks, as each writer made picks for the team he or she covers throughout the first 100 selections (Rounds 1-3). Rounds 4-7 were done in the more traditional manner, with picks being made based on reasonable guesses as to which prospects would still be on the board. 

Round 1: Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri; Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Buccaneers	Jameis Winston	QB	Florida State
2	Titans	Marcus Mariota	QB	Oregon
3	Jaguars	Dante Fowler, Jr.	DE	Florida
4	Raiders	Leonard Williams	DT	USC
5	Redskins	Brandon Scherff	OL	Iowa
6	Jets	Vic Beasley	OLB	Clemson
7	Bears	Amari Cooper	WR	Alabama
8	Falcons	Bud Dupree	DE	Kentucky
9	Giants	Kevin White	WR	West Virginia
10	Rams	Andrus Peat	OT	Stanford
11	Vikings	Marcus Peters	CB	Washington
12	Browns	DeVante Parker	WR	Louisville
13	Saints	Shane Ray	DE	Missouri
14	Dolphins	La'el Collins	OL	LSU
15	49ers	Trae Waynes	CB	Michigan State
16	Texans	Breshad Perriman	WR	UCF
17	Chargers	Danny Shelton	DT	Washington
18	Chiefs	Randy Gregory	LB	Nebraska
19	Browns	Todd Gurley	RB	Georgia
20	Eagles	Jake Fisher	OL	Oregon
21	Bengals	Landon Collins	S	Alabama
22	Steelers	Kevin Johnson	CB	Wake Forest
23	Lions	Malcom Brown	DT	Texas
24	Cardinals	Cameron Erving	OC	Florida State
25	Panthers	Ereck Flowers	OT	Miami (FL)
26	Ravens	Jaelen Strong	WR	Arizona State
27	Cowboys	Byron Jones	CB	Connecticut
28	Broncos	T.J. Clemmings	OT	Pittsburgh
29	Colts	Arik Armstead	DE	Oregon
30	Packers	Owamagbe Odighizuwa	OLB	UCLA
31	Saints	Eric Kendricks	LB	UCLA
32	Patriots	Melvin Gordon	RB	Wisconsin

The New Orleans pass rush was expected to be a strength in 2014, but it ended up being a huge letdown, as the Saints defense allowed opposing quarterbacks far too much time in the pocket.

Adding a playmaker who can set the edge and pressure the passer is one of the team’s chief needs in this year’s draft, and the 2015 class is abundant with athletic edge-rushers.

Of course, the Saints could go the “best player available” route with the No. 13 pick and snag Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton. Current starter Brodrick Bunkley is quite serviceable at the nose when healthy, however, and New Orleans has yet to give up on 360-pound 2013 draft pick John Jenkins.

A disruptive edge defender is more of a pressing need at the moment, and with this year’s draft class stocked with a surplus of talented players at the position, it stands to reason that New Orleans will select one of them with its top pick.

In this mock draft, Dante Fowler Jr. of Florida, Vic Beasley of Clemson and Bud Dupree of Kentucky were all swiped off the board within the first eight picks. Nebraska’s Randy Gregory is certainly one of the most talented pass-rushers in the class, but the Saints’ draft history under Loomis and Payton suggests they’ll shy away from players with troubled backgrounds in the first round.

That leads us to Missouri’s Shane Ray, who would make for an excellent fit as an outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s aggressive scheme. His game film reveals a long list of desirable attributes, and the most easily noticeable of these is his eye-popping athleticism. He has an exceptionally fast first-step, and he displays a rare combination of quickness and body control as he explodes off the edge.

It should also be noted that he totally dominated in the SEC last season, as he terrorized opposing offenses to the tune of 14.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss. Hitting these gaudy numbers in such a competitive league is quite the impressive feat, but statistics only tell a portion of the tale on Ray. He plays the game with a high degree of intensity, and he’s relentless with his fast-paced attacking style.

Due to his versatility, Beasley could easily be selected in the top 10, in which case the Saints would have to trade up to get him. The same could be said for Dupree, although New Orleans probably has a better shot at landing the former Kentucky standout. Ray is a supremely talented pass-rusher in his own right, however, and if the Saints select him, they’ll be adding a highly productive edge defender who could take their pass rush to the next level.

As for pick No. 31 in the first round, I opted to go defense again. With the versatile Eric Kendricks still available, it was too difficult to pass on him. The former UCLA Bruin sits atop nearly every notable draft publication’s list as the No. 1 inside ‘backer in the class.

Agile and physical, he's a powerful tackler and a heady player. It’s Kendricks’ instincts, though, that set him apart from the other inside linebackers. His nose for the ball is uncanny, and he displays a consistent ability to diagnose plays and meet ball-carriers in the hole at the right time. He’s also an accomplished pass defender.

By adding two athletic playmakers such as Ray and Kendricks in Round 1, the Saints can take a big step toward solidifying their defense for the foreseeable future.

Round 2: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (FL)

Alan Diaz/Associated Press

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
33	Titans	Jalen Collins	CB	LSU
34	Buccaneers	Ty Sambrailo	OL	Colorado State
35	Raiders	Nelson Agholor	WR	USC
36	Jaguars	Dorial Green-Beckham	WR	Oklahoma
37	Jets	Laken Tomlinson	OG	Duke
38	Redskins	Ameer Abdullah	RB	Nebraska
39	Bears	Eli Harold	OLB	Virginia
40	Giants	Damarious Randall	S	Arizona State
41	Rams	D.J. Humphries	OL	Florida
42	Falcons	Eric Rowe	S	Utah
43	Browns	Donovan Smith	OT	Penn State
44	Saints	Phillip Dorsett	WR	Miami (FL)
45	Vikings	Stephone Anthony	LB	Clemson
46	49ers	Preston Smith	DE	Mississippi State
47	Dolphins	Devin Funchess	WR/TE	Michigan
48	Chargers	Tevin Coleman	RB	Indiana
49	Chiefs	Eddie Goldman	DL	Florida State
50	Bills	A.J. Cann	OG	South Carolina
51	Texans	Benardrick McKinney	OLB	Mississippi State
52	Eagles	Devin Smith	WR	Ohio State
53	Bengals	Maxx Williams	TE	Minnesota
54	Lions	Duke Johnson	RB	Miami (FL)
55	Cardinals	Ronald Darby	CB	Florida State
56	Steelers	Nate Orchard	DE/LB	Utah
57	Panthers	Jay Ajayi	RB	Boise State
58	Ravens	Clive Walford	TE	Miami (FL)
59	Broncos	Grady Jarrett	DT	Clemson
60	Cowboys	TJ Yeldon	RB	Alabama
61	Colts	Paul Dawson	LB	TCU
62	Packers	P.J. Williams	CB	Florida State
63	Seahawks	Carl Davis	DL	Iowa
64	Patriots	Tre Jackson	OG	Florida State

The Saints decided to part ways with talented young wide receiver Kenny Stills this offseason, trading him to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and an additional draft pick.

The loss of the third-year wideout has the Saints passing game in need of another deep threat. Now that the fleet-footed Stills is no longer an option in New Orleans, 2014 first-round pick Brandin Cooks is one of the few members of the team’s receiving corps with true breakaway speed.

By bringing in Phillip Dorsett at pick No. 44, the Saints can change this situation in a big way. The former Miami Hurricane could well be the fastest player in the entire draft, at any position, and the thought of him teaming with Cooks in the New Orleans pass offense should send cold shivers down the backs of NFC South defensive coordinators.

After wowing scouts with a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine, Dorsett followed that performance with a blistering 4.25 time at his pro day workout.

He’s more than just a speedster, however. He’s an accomplished route-runner with reliable hands, and he can line up in the slot as well as on the outside.

By re-signing running back Mark Ingram, trading for center Max Unger and signing running back C.J. Spiller, the Saints appear to be putting the pieces in place to run the football more than they have in the past. With Dorsett in the fold, however, they would continue to field a fearsome downfield passing attack.

Round 3: D'Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic; John Miller, OG, Louisville

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
65	Buccaneers	Rashad Greene	WR	Florida State
66	Titans	Cedric Ogbuehi	OT	Texas A&M
67	Jaguars	Jeremy Langford	RB	Michigan State
68	Raiders	Ali Marpet	OG	Hobart College
69	Redskins	Danielle Hunter	DE	LSU
70	Jets	Tre McBride	WR	William & Mary
71	Bears	Jaquiski Tartt	S	Samford
72	Rams	Sammie Coates	WR	Auburn
73	Falcons	Mitch Morse	OG	Missouri
74	Giants	Rob Havenstein	OT	Wisconsin
75	Saints	D'Joun Smith	CB	Florida Atlantic
76	Vikings	Shaq Thompson	OLB	Washington
77	Browns	Jordan Phillips	DT	Oklahoma
78	Saints	John Miller	OG	Louisville
79	49ers	Denzel Perryman	ILB	Miami (FL)
80	Chiefs	Tyler Lockett	WR	Kansas State
81	Bills	Bryce Petty	QB	Baylor
82	Texans	Doran Grant	CB	Ohio State
83	Chargers	Hau'oli Kikaha	OLB	Washington
84	Eagles	Quinten Rollins	CB	Miami (OH)
85	Bengals	Za'Darius Smith	DE	Kentucky
86	Cardinals	David Cobb	RB	Minnesota
87	Steelers	Jeff Heuerman	TE	Ohio State
88	Lions	Josh Shaw	CB	USC
89	Panthers	Michael Bennett	DT	Ohio State
90	Ravens	Derron Smith	SS	Fresno State
91	Cowboys	Trey Flowers	DE	Arkansas
92	Broncos	Henry Anderson	DE	Stanford
93	Colts	Mike Davis	RB	South Carolina
94	Packers	Brett Hundley	QB	UCLA
95	Seahawks	Alex Carter	CB	Stanford
96	Patriots	Kenny Bell	WR	Nebraska
97	Patriots	Ifo Ekpre-Olomu	CB	Oregon
98	Chiefs	Senquez Golson	CB	Mississippi
99	Bengals	Steven Nelson	CB	Oregon State
*100	Titans	Nick O'Leary	TE	Florida State

*First pick of Round 4.

The Saints addressed their glaring weakness at cornerback during free agency with the signing of veteran Brandon Browner, who’s expected to start opposite Keenan Lewis on the outside. New Orleans also brought in former New York Jet Kyle Wilson, along with New Orleans native and former CFL standout Delvin Breaux.

While the addition of Browner should make a big difference in the Saints pass defense this coming season, the team still needs to add depth at the corner spot.

At pick No. 75 in Round 3, D’Joun Smith makes a lot of sense. The Florida Atlantic product impresses with his agility and ball skills, and he appears to take great pride in being physical with receivers in press-man coverage. He’s also a highly confident player who won’t hesitate to come up and contribute in run support.

Three selections later, the Saints are up again, and pick No. 78 would be an opportune time to add depth at the guard position. New Orleans parted ways with left guard Ben Grubbs this offseason, and 2014 backup Tim Lelito is expected to slide into Grubbs’ starting spot.

Meanwhile, Jahri Evans will be back for at least one more season on the right side, but it isn’t too early to begin searching for his potential replacement. At the least, New Orleans may want another guard who can come in and push Lelito. 

Louisville’s John Miller is an intriguing talent who brings a lot to the table. Boasting an exceptionally powerful upper body, he excels at firing out and knocking defenders off the ball at the point of attack.

With the Saints seemingly committed to pounding the ball between the tackles, Miller’s strengths as a road-grading run-blocker could earn him a hard look from New Orleans in Round 3.

Round 5: Tyler Kroft, TE, Rutgers; Leterrius Walton, DT, Central Michigan

Mel Evans/Associated Press

With the departure of All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham, third-year man Josh Hill will likely get the nod as the Saints' primary receiving tight end. Thirty-four-year-old veteran Benjamin Watson is still available as a blocker and a locker room leader, but there’s a good chance that New Orleans will bring in another receiving tight end who can fill in for Hill when necessary.

If that's indeed the case, Rutgers’ Tyler Kroft should get strong consideration as a Day 3 pick.

At 6’5" and 246 pounds, he would provide a sizable target for quarterback Drew Brees. His combination of length and quickness makes him a tough matchup for pass defenders, and he's a feisty run-blocker to boot.

Kroft can place his hand on the ground and play as a traditional tight end, and he can also line up in a two-point stance in the slot. His ability to get downfield quickly should make him a viable option on the seam route in Payton's offense.

As for the Saints' second selection in the fifth round, they could use this pick to address the defensive front.

Central Michigan’s Leterrius Walton is widely projected as a fifth-round pick by most draft publications, and at 6’5” and 319 pounds, he has an ideal body type for an interior defensive lineman. With his above-average athleticism, however, he could learn to play multiple positions along the defensive front, similar to current Saints starter Akiem Hicks. 

A converted offensive lineman, Walton has a quick first step off the snap. He’s a still-developing player who could have significant upside, and the Saints should consider taking a chance on him in Round 5.

Round 6: Max Valles, OLB, Virginia

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

With such an abundance of picks, there’s no reason to eliminate the possibility of the Saints selecting two pass-rushers in the draft.

Outside ‘backer Max Valles makes for an interesting late-round project. Standing 6’5” and possessing impressive quickness, he appears as though he could add more weight to his 250-pound frame.

In addition, the fact that he batted down nine passes last season suggests he already knows how to use his length to his advantage.

Valles is an early draft entrant who could’ve used another year of seasoning at the collegiate level, but with proper coaching, he could develop into a productive player in New Orleans.

Round 7: Andrew Donnal, OT, Iowa

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The Saints are set at the offensive tackle spot for 2015 with Terron Armstead and Zach Strief, while Bryce Harris will likely be the team’s top backup at the position.

That doesn’t mean New Orleans won’t bring in another tackle to compete with Harris, however, and a shot of youth is never a bad thing, either.

While his fellow offensive lineman at Iowa, Brandon Scherff, has received no lack of publicity in the months leading up to the draft, Andrew Donnal is also a noteworthy NFL prospect.

He has adequate size at 6’6” and 313 pounds, and he brings a hard-working mentality that’s always desired in a lineman. Donnal won’t blow anyone away with his athleticism, but he’s fundamentally sound as both a run- and pass-blocker, and he would be a solid value pick for the Saints in the seventh round.