NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – 1st Round (8th overall)
Jeremiyah Love, RB Notre Dame
There’s no need to complicate this. Love is the best player in this draft class, and if he’s available at eight, the Saints should not hesitate to take him.
The Saints have a much better track record at drafting first round running backs than many realize. Love has the ceiling to be one of the best backs in the game. Their need at the position is massive even if they sign a free agent.
2nd Round (42nd overall)
Chris Bell, WR Louisville
An unfortunate late-season injury makes Bell available to the Saints when their second round pick comes up.
Bell’s tape was impressive. His ability to make the first defender miss after catching a pass really stood out. He also seemed to have a knack for the back shoulder throw. Louisville used him often on shallow crossers, which highlighted his run-after-catch ability.
His junior season was spent with current Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.
3rd Round (73rd overall)
Keylan Rutledge, IOL Georgia Tech
Rutledge first came on my radar at the Senior Bowl, where his ability to move on pulling and getting to the second level stood out. He also took reps at left guard, center and right guard showing his willingness to be versatile.
If you’re a fan of running offenses, Georgia Tech’s scheme is really something to watch. Rutledge will need some technical work as a pass blocker, but overall he could provide great value here.
4th Round (132nd overall)
Will Lee III, CB Texas A&M
AT 6’1 and 190 pounds, Lee has the physical makeup to play cornerback. At A&M, Lee played a lot of man coverage where his pattern recognition and ability to close on the football really stood out.
He’s not quite the twitchy athlete many prefer at the position, but his football IQ should get him on the field.
4th Round (136th overall)
Kaleb Proctor, DL SLU
It’s reasonable for Saints fans to have a little PTSD when it comes to linemen from small schools, but Proctor is an interesting prospect.
He checked into the Combine at 6’2, 291 pounds and ran a 4.79 40 yard dash. His overall athletic score was fourth in Indianapolis at his position.
Proctor will need some time to get accustomed to this level of football but can be a disruptive force along the interior of Saints defensive line.
5th Round (148th overall)
Vincent Anthony, Jr. EDGE Duke
It’s a little puzzling to see Anthony projected this late in the draft. He’s 6’6, 258 pounds and plays a premier position. His presence on tape stood out. Plus, he had a very productive season at Duke with 7.5 sacks.
Anthony didn’t time particularly well, but he could provide good value for the Saints here.
5th Round (170th overall)
Tanner Koziol, TE Houston
Koziol’s bowl performance against LSU really stuck with me despite the Tigers being severely undermanned.
AT 6’6 and 247 pounds, Koziol has great size and moves pretty well. The Saints could certainly use another player in the tight end room. Behind Juwan Johnson, there a lot of uncertainty at the position.
At this stage of the draft, Koziol could provide good value.
6th Round (188th overall)
Bishop Fitzgerald, S USC
With five interceptions last season and ten throughout his collegiate career, the Saints close out this draft with a ball-hawk in the secondary. From a scheme standpoint, Fitzgerald has great range in space either in the middle post or the deep half.
Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, some mocks have him going as high as the fourth round. However, if Fitzgerald is still there, he could be an impactful late-draft find for the Saints’ secondary.
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