It's mock draft season, the most festive time of year to hurry up and (almost always) be incorrect.
But that won't stop us from diving in head-first, particularly now that the Saints own a first-round selection. We've got some insight from the Senior Bowl, and we're set to get a lot more at the upcoming NFL Draft Combine.
Scroll below for both full mocks from myself and Steve Geller and quick breakdowns for why each pick was made (all non-Saints picks were simulated). Listen to the latest episode of Inside Black & Gold for the deep-dive into each Saints pick.
NOTES: The Dolphins forfeit pick No. 21, so there will be some discrepancy in the actual pick numbers. In this case, we went with the actual numbers the picks will be (30, 41, 72). In reality they will be the 29th, 40th and 71st players off the board) ... All non-Saints picks were made by PFF's simulator. If you disagree with how these boards went, take it up with them.
STEVE'S MOCK
THE PICKS:
- No. 30: Mazi Smith, DE, Michigan ... The defensive interior is thin, and this is a big step toward solving that. Some other intriguing DT options are off the board, so Mazi is an easy choice.
- No. 41: O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida ... This is a need meets value pick, because the Hammond native dropping to 40 would be unlikely. But he fills a key role in depth behind the injury-prone Andrus Peat, and he'll be a key piece of an interior headlined by Cesar Ruiz, Erik McCoy and Torrence for a long time.
- No. 72: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane ... This is a bit of a homer reach, considering Spears would probably still be around in the 4th, but I wanted a RB, and Roll Wave am I right?
ROUND 1
1. Bears: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
2. Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
3. Cardinals: Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
4. Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
5. Seahawks: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
6. Lions: Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU
7. Raiders: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
8. Falcons: Devin Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
9. Panthers: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
10. Eagles: Lukas Van Ness, S, Iowa
11. Titans: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
12. Texans: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
13. Jets: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
14. Patriots: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
15. Packers: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
16. Commanders: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
17. Steelers: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
18. Lions: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
19. Bucs: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
20. Seahawks: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
21. Dolphins: forfeited
22. Chargers: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
23. Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
24. Vikings: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
25. Jaguars: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
26. Giants: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
27. Cowboys: Andre Carter, Edge, Army
28. Bills: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
29. Bengals: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
30. Saints: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
31. Eagles: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
32. Chiefs: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
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ROUND 2
33. Steelers: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
34. Texans: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
35. Cardinals: Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
36. Colts: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
37. Rams: BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU
38. Seahawks: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
39. Raiders: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
40. Panthers: Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford
41. Saints: O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
42. Titans: Karl Brooke, Edge, Bowling Green
43. Browns: Steve Avila, G, TCU
44. Jets: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
45. Falcons: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Edge, Northwestern
46. Packers: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State
47. Patriots: Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
48. Commanders: Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge, USC
49. Lions: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
50. Steelers: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Miss. State
51. Bucs: Nick Herbig, Edge, Wisconsin
52. Seahawks: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
53. Dolphins: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
54. Chargers: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
55. Bears: Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
56. Lions: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
57. Panthers: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
58. Giants: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
59. Cowboys: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
60. Bills: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
61. Bengals: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
62. Panthers: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
63. Eagles: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame
64. Chiefs: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
ROUND 3
65. Bears: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
66. Texans: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
67. Cardinals: Cam Smith, CB, S. Carolina
68. Broncos: Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
69. Broncos: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
70. Rams: Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn
71. Raiders: Mike Morris, Edge, Michigan
72. Saints: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
73. Titans: Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
74. Texans: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
75. Jets: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
76. Falcons: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
77. Patriots: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
78. Dolphins: Chris Smith, S, Georgia
79. Packers: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
80. Colts: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
81. Steelers: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
82. Lions: DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
83. Bucs: Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas
84. Seahawks: Colby Wooden, Edge, Auburn
85. Dolphins: Darius Rush, CB, S. Carolina
86. Chargers: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
87. Ravens: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
88. Vikings: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
89. Jaguars: JL Skinner, S, Boise State
90. Giants: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
91. Cowboys: Jayden Reed, WR, Mich. State
92. Bills: Parker Washington, WR, Penn State
93. Bengals: Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
94. Panthers: Cody Mauch, OT, N.D. State
95. Eagles: Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
96. Chiefs: Isaiah McGuire, Edge, Missouri
97. Cardinals: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
98. Commanders: Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
99. Browns: Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest
100. 49ers: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
101. Giants: DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
102. 49ers: Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville
103. 49ers: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
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JEFF'S MOCK
THE PICKS
- No. 30: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida ... A-Rich fell in this mock, and he's the exact type of project I want to take on if I'm the Saints. It allows you to adjust your QB plans to a bridge, and you maybe even bring Andy Dalton back in that circumstance. Either way, you've finally got a QB of the future on the phone and you're not letting him get away.
- No. 41: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor ... The reviews will vary on the big Bear from Baylor, but the Saints need a young space-eater in the middle and I think he fits well. This is a need-based pick, but at some point need meets value and I think this fits.
- No. 72: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia ... One of the biggest reasons Darnell is even available in Round 3 is that Brock Bowers exists, but that's not his fault. The Bulldogs behemoth was unguardable on the best team in the land, and he fulfills something Dennis Allen pointed to specifically after the season: He's an elite, contested catches player. Maybe he can be the next Pro Bowler on Clancy Barone's list? He's already got Alge Crumpler, Antonio Gates, Julius Thomas and Kyle Rudolph. I love this get here, and he'd be a weapon to pair with A-Rich for a long time.
ROUND 1
1. Bears: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
2. Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
3. Cardinals: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
4. Colts: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
5. Seahawks: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
6. Lions: Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU
7. Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
8. Falcons: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
9. Panthers: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
10. Eagles: Lukas Van Ness, S, Iowa
11. Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
12. Texans: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
13. Jets: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
14. Patriots: Paris Johnson Jr., OT Ohio State
15. Packers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
16. Commanders: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
17. Steelers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, OSU
18. Lions: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
19. Bucs: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
20. Seahawks: Andre Carter, Edge, Army
21. Dolphins: forfeited
22. Chargers: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
23. Ravens: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
24. Vikings: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
25. Jaguars: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
26. Giants: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
27. Cowboys: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
28. Bills: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
29. Bengals: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
30. Saints: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
31. Eagles: O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
32. Chiefs: BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
Tempted:
- O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida (picked No. 31, Eagles)
- Mazi Smith, Edge, Michigan (picked No. 36, Colts)
- Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas (picked No. 38, Seahawks)
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Related
ROUND 2
33. Steelers: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
34. Texans: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
35. Cardinals: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
36. Colts: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
37. Rams: Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford
38. Seahawks: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
39. Raiders: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
40. Panthers: Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, USC
41. Saints: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
42. Titans: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
43. Browns: Josh Downs, WR, UNC
44. Jets: Steve Avila, IOL, TCU
45. Falcons: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Miss. State
46. Packers: Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
47. Patriots: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Edge, Northwestern
48. Commanders: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
49. Lions: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
50. Steelers: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
51. Bucs: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
52. Seahawks: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
53. Dolphins: Nick Herbig, EDGE, Wisconsin
54. Chargers: Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
55. Bears: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
56. Lions: Dam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
57. Panthers: Karl Brooks, Edge, Bowling Green
58. Giants: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State
59. Cowboys: Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
60. Bills: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
61. Bengals: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
62. Panthers: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame
63. Eagles: Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
64. Chiefs: Mike Morris, Edge, Michigan
Tempted:
- Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston (picked No. 46, Packers)
- Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State (picked No. 41, Titans)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (picked No. 55, Bears)
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ROUND 3
65. Bears: Tre’Vius Hodges Tomlinson, CB, TCU
66. Texans: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
67. Cardinals: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
68. Broncos: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
69. Broncos: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
70. Rams: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
71. Raiders: Jordan Battle, S, Alabma
72. Saints: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
73. Titans: Cam Smith, CB, S. Carolina
74. Texans: Keeanu Benton, DI, Wisconsin
75. Jets: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
76. Falcons: Micheal Wilson, WR, Stanford
77. Patriots: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
78. Dolphins: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
79. Packers: Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn
80. Colts: Chris Smith, S, Georgia
81. Steelers: DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
82. Lions: Darisu Rush, CB, S. Carolina
83. Bucs: Kelee, Ringo, CB, Georgia
84. Seahawks: Colby Wooden, Edge, Auburn
85. Dolphins: DeWayne McBride, HB, UAB
86. Chargers: Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
87. Ravens: Parker Washington, WR, Penn State
88. Vikings: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
89. Jaguars: JL Skinner, S, Boise State
90. Giants: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
91. Cowboys: Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
92. Bills: Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas
93. Bengals: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
94. Panthers: Cody Mauch, OT, N.D. State
95. Eagles: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
96. Chiefs: Kenre Miller, RB, TCU
97. Cardinals: Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville
98. Commanders: Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
99. Browns: A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
100. 49ers: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
101. Giants: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
102. 49ers: Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest
103. 49ers: Gervon Dexter Sr., DT, Florida
TEMPTED:
- Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin (picked No. 74, Texans)
- Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State (picked No. 86, Chargers)
- Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane (still on the board)
- Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern (still on the board)
- Chris Smith, S, Georgia (picked No. 80, Colts)
Related
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