Saints draft safety Saqaun Hampton in sixth round

Mar 4, 2019; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton (DB49) goes through workout drills during the 2019 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Photo credit USA TODAY Sports

In a bit of an unexpected move, the New Orleans Saints selected another safety in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.  

The Saints, already having selected Chauncey Gardner-Johnson earlier in the day, decided to bolster the position again.  This time they picked Saquan Hampton out of Rutgers, giving them even more depth not only at safety but also on special teams.

"That's a special teams pick.  That's a guy that will contribute and provides depth," said WWL draft analyst Mike Detillier.

While the selection of Hampton may have been a surprise because of his position, the Saints saw value in drafting him at that spot late in the draft.

"He's my sixth-ranked free safety," Detillier noted.  "He was a guy that I thought would probably go in round three, so you probably got some value there."

With the 177th pick in the 6th round, the #Saints select safety Saquan Hampton from @RFootball! #SaintsDraft pic.twitter.com/ox1A5qnBCs

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 27, 2019

Hampton was a four-year player at Rutgers.  He had three interceptions and 64 tackles in his senior season last year.  

The Saints came into day three looking to add players to their secondary and players who can play special teams.  Hampton fits both of those needs.

"When you look at this roster, it's going to some down to special teams whether these players will wind up making this team," said former Saints offensive lineman Zach Strief.

Bobby Hebert summed up this way:

"Swag!  Team leader and emotional player out on the field.  Listen, I don't mind any player that is on the verge of being arrogant."

The Saints have two more draft picks, both in the seventh round.