With The First Pick
Fansided

New Orleans Saints 2016 Mock Draft

By jonfox

Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) center poses with guard Senio Kelemete (65) and tackle Zach Strief and center Max Unger (60) and offensive tackle Tony Hills (76) and offensive guard Tim Lelito (68) and tackle Terron Armstead (72) and guard Jahri Evans (73) and offensive tackle Mike McGlynn (77) following win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Jaguars 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) center poses with guard Senio Kelemete (65) and tackle Zach Strief and center Max Unger (60) and offensive tackle Tony Hills (76) and offensive guard Tim Lelito (68) and tackle Terron Armstead (72) and guard Jahri Evans (73) and offensive tackle Mike McGlynn (77) following win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Jaguars 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

This is the latest in a series doing a full 2016 mock draft for an individual team. Next up is a team that was saw their 2015 season go down in flames largely due to coaching and bad offseason moves: the New Orleans Saints. As always this is a mock of what I think that the team will do, not what I would do as the team’s decision maker.

1st: Eli Apple, DB Ohio State 
The Saints saw improvement in their defense when Rob Ryan was fired and Dennis Allen took. So much that he was retained. Apple is a press man corner that should do well in this defense. He’s physical enough with good recovery speed and could replace Browner fairly easily.
2nd: Kevin Dodd, DL Clemson
Cam Jordan made up nearly 1/3 of the Saints’ sack production in 2015. They got almost nothing positive from the rest of their defensive ends on the season. Dodd is a fast riser who closed the season strongly on a talented Clemson defense. He’s more a penetrator who will have some issues with powerful blockers but could do well for the Saints.

3rd: Jayron Kearse, DB Clemson
Speaking of Clemson defenders, Kearse is one who will drop from his current perceived draft spot. The film pundits hate him and the scouts will see the same thing. But if he’s moved to an in-the-box position, his flaws become less apparent.

More from With the First Pick

4th: Sheldon Day, DL Notre Dame
A very poor man’s Aaron Donald, Day is a classic 3 tech defensive tackle who uses his short area quickness and leverage to get in-between blockers and blow up the offensive backfield. Day’s problem is that he needs to get stronger and bigger or guards in the NFL will just pancake him if they can handle his speed.

5th: Aaron Burbridge, WR Michigan State
Burbridge had a breakout 2015 season where he posted great numbers for an offense committed to the run. However, this was his first quality season statistically speaking and he doesn’t seem to have NFL level tools. If he has a good combine and shows some speed, he could rise but right now he’s a curiosity for scouts. It’s hard to say if he’s a potential contributor or just a special teamer.

7th: Beau Sandland, TE Montana State
A former Miami Hurricane player, Sandland found a home at Montana State when things didn’t work out for him at the U because he was homesick. He has an NFL body at 6-6 260 lbs and showed some good receiving ability, but scouts will want to watch the tape again and see if his success was due to the competition he faced or not. If they think his skills will translate, then he could rise into the 4th round quickly.

Home/NFL Draft News