New Orleans Saints Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Predictions

The New Orleans Saints will take their two first-round selections into Day 1 of the 2015 NFL draft Thursday but not before we make one last attempt at predicting the full, three-day event with a final, seven-round Saints mock draft.  

New Orleans enters the draft with nine picks, which is more than the franchise has had since 2002. This abundance of selections couldn’t come at a better time for general manager Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton, who are looking to re-energize their squad after a disappointing season in 2014.

Loomis has already made major waves this offseason with a series of roster shakeups. There’s no better way to pump new life into an organization than the draft, however, and with two first-round picks, New Orleans has an opportunity to start off this year’s version of the annual event with a bang.

Continue reading for a look at this year’s final seven-round predictions before the start of the draft.

Round 1

Pick No. 13: Bud Dupree, Edge-Rusher, Kentucky

It can’t be stated enough that the Saints failed to generate an effective pass rush last season. Yes, coordinator Rob Ryan’s defense was weak on the back end, but the secondary would have been helped out immensely by satisfactory pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

This year’s draft is stocked with capable edge defenders who could help remedy the Saints’ situation. Unfortunately for New Orleans, other teams in the league who pick ahead of the Saints in Round 1 could also be eyeing a pass-rusher. These teams include the Washington Redskins, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons.

While Florida standout Dante Fowler Jr. is widely expected to be taken in the first five selections, things are a bit more up in the air for some of the other highly rated pass-rushers. These players include Clemson’s Vic Beasley, Missouri’s Shane Ray, Nebraska’s Randy Gregory and Kentucky’s Bud Dupree. Beasley would perhaps be the best scheme fit for New Orleans, but he could be swiped off the board within the first 10 picks.

There’s a good chance that one or more of these edge defenders will be there, however, when the Saints pick at No. 13.

Dupree is a supremely talented pass-rusher with many desirable attributes, including speed, power and explosiveness. The 6’4,” 269-pounder has a variety of moves he uses to get to the quarterback, and he finishes tackles with authority.

If Beasley has been spoken for and Dupree is still available, New Orleans will likely claim the former Kentucky standout with its No. 13 pick in Round 1.

Pick No. 31: Eric Kendricks, Inside Linebacker, UCLA

While the New Orleans defense had its share of difficulties getting to the quarterback last season, the unit also struggled to stop the run.

Starting inside linebacker Curtis Lofton, who was one of the team’s better run defenders, was released this offseason. Fellow inside 'backer David Hawthorne is still in the fold, and former Miami Dolphin Dannell Ellerbe was acquired via trade.

The Saints need an injection of youth and speed at the position. A linebacker who can hold his own in pass coverage would be an ideal fit in Ryan’s aggressive defensive scheme.

New Orleans can get exactly that by drafting Eric Kendricks at No. 31 in the first round. The former UCLA Bruin is a quick, powerful athlete who can cover ground like no other linebacker on the current Saints roster. He’s also quick to diagnose plays, and he has exceptional instincts as a run defender.

As if that weren’t enough, he’s also excellent in pass coverage. Keeping up with running backs, tight ends and wideouts has been problematic for New Orleans' linebackers for the past several seasons, and if the Saints nab Kendricks, the situation should be improved.

By selecting these two explosive, extremely athletic defenders in the first round, the Saints would instantly get younger, faster and more dynamic on the defensive side of the ball.

Round 2

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Pick No. 44: Devin Smith, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

After addressing two defensive needs in Round 1, look for New Orleans to turn its attention to the passing game in Round 2.

As an offensive-minded coach, Payton undoubtedly wants to continue to field one of the league’s top passing attacks. Not only was quarterback Drew Brees’ favorite target, Jimmy Graham, traded away this offseason, but the Saints also parted ways with fleet-footed deep threat Kenny Stills.

Third-year man Josh Hill is certainly no Jimmy Graham, but he showed real promise as a receiving tight end last season. Hill, Marques Colston, Nick Toon and Benjamin Watson all provide Brees with sizable targets in the short passing game.

As it now stands, New Orleans only has one legitimate deep threat on the roster, and that's 2014 first-round pick Brandin Cooks. Joe Morgan is a capable downfield receiver, but he hardly strikes fear into opposing defensive coordinators.  

With the Saints’ acquisition of an accomplished run-blocking center in Max Unger, along with the long-term signings of running backs Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller, New Orleans appears to be positioning itself to pound the football next season.

In order to take the top off opposing defenses, thus affording themselves the opportunity to run the ball more efficiently, the Saints need an additional deep threat to pair with Cooks.

Ohio State’s Devin Smith can fill that role and then some. Miami’s Phillip Dorsett would probably be New Orleans’ first choice here, but he may not last past Round 1.

In Smith, the Saints would be getting a frighteningly fast deep-ball receiver built in the mold of DeSean Jackson. He averaged an eye-popping 28.2 yards per reception last season at Ohio State, as he routinely toasted opposing safeties and corners alike.

Smith would more than atone for the loss of Stills in New Orleans’ vertical passing game, and the Saints shouldn’t hesitate to make the move and call his name in Round 2.

Round 3

Pick No. 75: Mitch Morse, Guard, Missouri

New Orleans decided to part ways with starting left guard Ben Grubbs this offseason. Even though Loomis appears to have confidence in former backup Tim Lelito’s ability to adequately fill Grubbs’ shoes, the Saints will likely look to snag a quality guard at some point in the draft.

Round 3 presents an opportune time in which to do this, and Mitch Morse certainly looks the part of a quality guard.

The 6’5,” 305-pounder is technically sound and always intense. He’s a former tackle who shows potential as both a run- and pass-blocker. The former Missouri Tiger is also an intelligent football player who gets the most out of his athletic ability, and he appears capable of putting together a nice career as an NFL starter.

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

Despite the signing of free-agent cornerback Brandon Browner and the additional signings of Kyle Wilson and Delvin Breaux, New Orleans would be wise to bring in another cover man in the middle rounds of the draft.

In the pass-heavy NFC South, the Saints will likely need multiple quality corners over the course of the next several years, and this year’s class is well-stocked with impressive prospects.

One of the most intriguing is Oregon’s Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. The former Duck excels in press-man coverage, and he’s an aggressive tackler who appears to enjoy the physical nature of the game.

If he didn’t injure his knee just after the end of the 2014 regular season, he’d likely be projected as a first-round pick.

With Browner now the No. 2 corner opposite Keenan Lewis, and with other corners such as Wilson, Breaux, Brian Dixon and Stanley Jean-Baptiste in the mix, the Saints won’t need Ekpre-Olomu to step in and vie for playing time right away. In time, however, he could develop into a multiyear starter capable of replacing Browner or Lewis when the time is right, or playing alongside them as a slot corner.

Round 5

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Pick No. 148: Taiwan Jones, Inside Linebacker, Michigan State

The Kendricks pick in Round 1 addresses the Saints’ need for a coverage linebacker with a well-rounded skill set, but it doesn’t hurt to bring in a thumper who can claim ownership of the middle of the field as a run defender.

Michigan State linebacker Taiwan Jones is a big-bodied, hard-hitting inside ‘backer who could provide quality depth for the Saints as a fifth-round pick. He’s a highly effective blitzer and a punishing tackler who explodes through ball-carriers.

In addition, he’s a strong locker room leader. Due to their distinct skill sets, Jones and Kendricks could potentially form a successful tandem in the middle of Ryan’s defense in future years.

Pick No. 154: Leterrius Walton, Defensive Tackle, Central Michigan

Depth on the defensive line is always a good thing, and the Saints could strengthen their defensive front by drafting Leterrius Walton in the fifth round.

Walton's 6'5," 319-pound frame suggests he’s a nose guard/defensive tackle. He’s surprisingly quick and agile for a player his size, however, and he could eventually move out and play end in a 3-4 aligment.

Either way, this Central Michigan product is a raw player who’s still learning, and the Saints could give him a look in Round 5.

Round 6

Pick No. 187. James O’Shaugnessy, Tight End, Illinois State

At the tight end spot, New Orleans will rely on Josh Hill and Benjamin Watson this season, but it’ll need another receiving tight end to step in and perform when the situation calls for it.

The Saints found Hill as an undrafted free agent in 2013, and they could find another tight end in Round 6 this year with just as much potential.

Illinois State’s James O’Shaugnessy has a similar build to Hill at 6’4” and 248 pounds. He can post up defenders using his body, and he could also contribute in the Saints’ vertical passing game. He’s a hard-working player who can come up with tough catches in traffic, and he would fit well in New Orleans’ offense.

Round 7

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Pick No. 230: Geneo Grissom, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End, Oklahoma

The Saints can't exactly slide one of their nine picks into their back pocket and use it next year. Despite having taken an edge defender in Round 1, there’s no reason to think they won’t take another in the later rounds.

Oklahoma’s Geneo Grissom is a chiseled physical specimen with impressive athleticism. Strong and quick, he already has a knack for knocking down passes at the line of scrimmage.

Capable of playing multiple positions, he would make for an interesting choice as a developmental pick in the seventh round, and the Saints could end up being glad they took a chance on him.