New Orleans Saints Draft Picks: Results, Analysis and Grades

With the seventh-round selection of Missouri running back Marcus Murphy, the New Orleans Saints have made all nine of their picks in the 2015 NFL draft. 

In their third pick of Round 5, the Saints selected Georgia cornerback Damian Swann at No. 167 overall. According to Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com, New Orleans made a deal with the Washington Redskins in order to acquire Swann, giving up its sixth round pick in this year's draft (No. 187) and its sixth-round pick for 2016.

With its first selection of Day 3, New Orleans grabbed defensive tackle Tyeler Davison of Fresno State with the No. 154 overall pick in the fifth round. Six picks earlier, the Saints took former Tennessee-Chattanooga outside linebacker Davis Tull at No. 148.

In Day 2, the Saints added a much-needed pass-rusher when they selected outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha. The Washington product was the No. 44 overall pick, and he fills a need for New Orleans on the edge. 

In the third round, the Saints made Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams the No. 75 overall selection, thereby strengthening their defensive backfield. 

Three selections earlier at pick No. 75, New Orleans nabbed quarterback Garrett Grayson of Colorado State. The Saints could view the former Rams signal caller as a potential successor to Drew Brees.

With the No. 13 overall pick, the Saints made offensive tackle Andrus Peat their first selection of the draft. The Stanford product could start immediately on coach Sean Payton's offensive line next season, as the Saints attempt to establish a strong presence in the trenches in 2015.

New Orleans entered the draft with numerous needs on the defensive side of the ball, but with one of the draft's top tackles still sitting on the board, general manager Mickey Loomis and the New Orleans front office determined they couldn't pass him up. 

With New Orleans' second pick, No. 31 overall, Loomis turned his attention to the inside linebacker spot. The Saints were in need of some athleticism at the position, and they got it in the form of Clemson's Stephone Anthony.

Continue checking back for updates to this tracker throughout the draft as the Saints make their selections.

Round 7, No. 230 Pick: Marcus Murphy

John Raoux/Associated Press

In picking Marcus Murphy with their final selection of the draft, the Saints turned their attention back to the offensive side of the ball. New Orleans, which had gone defense with its four previous picks, nabbed the Missouri running back with the No. 230 pick. 

A first-team All-SEC selection in 2014, Murphy ripped through defenses for over 1,100 offensive yards and five touchdowns. He added another 780 yards in the return game, as well as three more scores. 

The 5'9," 193-pound Murphy is a smaller back than the other ball-carriers on the Saints' roster. He brings additional speed and quickness to the New Orleans backfield, and with the explosive C.J. Spiller already in the fold, the Saints running back stable should now have a nice balance of downhill, power runners and speedy, shifty backs. 

Grade: B

Round 5, No. 167: Damian Swann

The Saints continued their run on defensive players with the selection of Georgia cornerback Damian Swann, and they've now gone defense with their last four selections. 

The Swann pick signifies a firm commitment from Mickey Loomis to strengthen the cornerback spot, which was a huge liability for New Orleans in 2014. The Saints picked Florida State cover man P.J. Williams in Round 3, and they also inked Brandon Browner, Kyle Wilson and Delvin Breaux to free-agent deals prior to the draft. 

At Georgia, Swann started for three consecutive seasons, and he capped off his career as a second-team All-SEC selection as a senior.

The 6'0" former Bulldog has nice length, and he excels in press coverage, which should make him a nice fit in Rob Ryan's defense. 

Grade: B+

Round 5, No. 154: Tyeler Davison

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

New Orleans made its seventh selection at pick No. 154 and chose Tyeler Davison of Fresno State. 

Davison is the Saints' fifth defensive player taken in the draft, and his fifth-round selection marks the first time New Orleans has opted to address its defensive line. 

The 6'2," 316-pounder is a high-energy player who was quite productive for the Bulldogs throughout his collegiate career. He collected at least 40 tackles in three straight seasons, and he registered eight sacks last season. In addition, he was named first-team All-Mountain West in 2014. 

Davison possesses nice athleticism for an interior defensive lineman, and his ceiling could prove to be quite high. 

Grade: A-

Round 5, No. 148 Pick: Davis Tull

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

With their sixth selection of the draft, the Saints continued to load up on defensive players, snagging outside linebacker Davis Tull with the No. 148 overall pick. 

With the selection of Tull, a product of Tennessee-Chattanooga, New Orleans demonstrates a strong commitment to upgrading the team's pass rush, which was substandard in 2014. The Saints took Washington pass-rusher Hau'oli Kikaha with the No. 44 overall selection. 

The 6'2," 246-pounder was highly productive at the FCS level, as he registered 10.5 sacks during his senior season (18 TFL). He was named first-team FCS All-American by the AP in 2014, and he comes in having started for four years at the collegiate level. 

Tull gives the Saints another quality pass-rusher, as they continue to address the edge of their defense. 

Grade: B

Round 3, No. 78 Pick: P.J. Williams

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Just three selections after taking Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson in Round 3, the Saints were on the clock again, and they went defense with the selection of Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams. 

Williams enjoyed a fine 2014 season, as he was named first-team All-ACC. He was also a finalist for the Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation's top defensive back. 

He's a physical, press-man corner with good size at 6'0" and 194 pounds. He's also versatile, and he could possibly contribute as a safety in Rob Ryan's defense. 

By selecting Williams, New Orleans adds additional depth to its defensive backfield after the free-agent signings of cornerbacks Brandon Browner, Kyle Wilson and Delvin Breaux.

Grade: A

Round 3, No. 75 Pick: Garrett Grayson

With their first of two third-round picks, the Saints selected a quarterback in Garrett Grayson of Colorado State.

The 6'2" signal-caller is the first quarterback to be taken in this year's draft since Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were the first two prospects to hear their names called with the No. 1 and No. 2 overall selections.

Grayson tossed for over 4,000 yards in 2014, and he was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. 

In drafting him, the Saints could be eyeing an eventual replacement for Drew Brees. The future Hall of Famer still has two years remaining on his deal, however, and the Saints likely won't be making a change anytime soon. 

Grayson has impressive accuracy, but he needs to improve in numerous areas, such as his mechanics and his decision-making.

Grade: B-

Round 2, No. 44 Pick: Hau'oli Kikaha

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

When the Saints entered the draft, one of their chief needs was that of a pass-rusher. After going offensive line and inside linebacker with their first two picks, they addressed this need with the Round 2 selection of Hau'oli Kikaha.

From a production standpoint, the Washington product is one of the top edge-rushers in the draft. He registered a whopping 32 sacks during the last two seasons, and he totaled 19 in 2014. 

In addition to his eye-popping sack total, Kikaha also forced six fumbles in the last two years, and he racked up 40 tackles for loss. 

The 2014 All-Pac-12 performer is an intense, relentless competitor who doesn't take plays off, and he should make for a fine fit as a pass-rusher in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme. 

Grade: A

Round 1, No. 31 Pick: Stephone Anthony

After deciding to address the offensive line with their first pick, the Saints opted to go defense with their second selection, as they chose inside linebacker Stephone Anthony of Clemson with the No. 31 pick.

With the selection of Anthony, New Orleans snagged one of the fastest inside linebackers in the draft. He turned heads with a 4.56 40-yard-dash time at the NFL combine, and he also displays impressive football speed on game film.

He should be an immediate help to the Saints pass defense. New Orleans' linebackers struggled in pass coverage throughout the 2014 season, and Anthony's addition provides the group with a much-needed injection of speed, athleticism and cover skills. 

Denzel Perryman of Miami (FL) and Eric Kendricks of UCLA would have both been solid choices here, as well, but Anthony's impressive length and build (6'3" and 243 pounds) likely put him over the top. 

Grade: A-

Round 1, No. 13 Pick: Andrus Peat

The Saints could have easily gone defense with the No. 13 pick, and athletic edge-rusher Bud Dupree was still on the board when New Orleans made its selection. 

Despite that, the Saints decided to go with Stanford's Andrus Peat, who was one of the draft's top-rated tackles. 

The 6'7", 313-pounder was an Outland Trophy semifinalist in 2014. He proved to be a durable starter for coach David Shaw, as he started the final 27 games of his career. 

Peat is not only a highly rated player with regard to pass protection, but he's a powerful road-grading run-blocker as well. With the Saints potentially shifting to a bit more of a run-oriented offense 2015, the addition of Peat could prove to be quite beneficial. 

New Orleans still has eight picks remaining with which to address its defense, and the Saints certainly could've done worse than going with Peat here. He's a well-coached, intelligent player who comes in game-ready, and his addition should certainly strengthen the Saints offensive line. 

Grade: B+