It's hard to go wrong if you leave the NFL Draft with some extra bulk on either side of the line of scrimmage. Could that be the Saints strategy for the second season in a row on the defensive side of the ball?
This year's draft features just two first-round prospects at defensive tackle, but there's a host of mid-round options that includes an LSU trio who could make an impact, as WWL draft analyst Mike Detiller broke down in this year's rankings.
Listen to the full breakdown from Mike Detillier in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
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MORE POSITION BREAKDOWNS: quarterback | running back | wide receiver | tight end | safety | offensive tackle | cornerback
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So who are those players, and in what order? Scroll below for Detillier's WR rankings, his takes on several and a draft projection for each of the top 13.
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1. Byron Murphy II, Texas
- Mike's take: "You talk about a guy who is disruptive, got great leverage skills. Man, knows how to use his arms and hands really well. He’s a good interior pass rusher, can run the field. He’s got everything, but he’s not this tall guy, but I would rather a shorter defensive tackle because of the leverage. If you’re too tall, you give up too much body. Well, Brian Bresee this year, and he showed some really good potential as a pass rusher, but against the run he gives you up all that body, those interior guys they get under your pads, they move you around. Can’t do that with Byron. … I think he’s in that bullpen of players, depending on what’s left, the Saints would have to take a look at that. I know they picked Bresee last year, but Byron Murphy II, man, he might not fit exactly what you’re looking for, but that cat can dominate in the middle.”
- Draft projection: top 15 pick
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2. Jer'Zhan 'Johnny' Newton, Illinois
- Mike's take: "He’s built along the lines of Byron, he’s disruptive that way. Now, he’s coming off a foot injury, which he had surgery on. Looks to be he’s well along the way to get back healthy and so Johnny Newton is a guy in the Big Ten, I thought was a very, very, good interior player for the Illini."
- Draft projection: late first round pick
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3. Braden Fiske, Florida State
- Mike's take: “He started his career at Western Michigan — he almost went to LSU, then decided I’m going to Florida State. Disruptive guy, really good athlete, he gets a lot of penetration inside and for an interior player … he’s got a good set of moves, counter moves to beat you as a pass-rusher.”
- Draft projection: 2nd round pick
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4. T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
- Mike's take: "He is a giant guy inside. Again, it depends on what you want to play defensively, but for a big man, he’s got short-area quickness. He is powerful. I mean, he forklifts guys right back into the lap of a quarterback. We see him wearing down late in games. OK, that 366 pounds, that’s a lot. … And think about the fact both Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat were both coached by Bo Davis, who’s now at LSU, Pete Jenkins’ protege.”
- Draft projection: mid to late Day 2
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4. Kris Jenkins, Michigan
- Draft projection: mid Day 2 pick
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5. Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
- Draft projection: mid to late late Day 2 pick
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6. Maason Smith, LSU
- Mike's take: “I think Maason is going to get overdrafted. Somebody is going to fall in love with his athletic talent. I’ve always talked to you about it, you get to meet him, he’s a giant. He’s 6-5-plus, he’s 315 pounds. He’s got an 84-inch wingspan, but it doesn’t equal to production. … He gives up too much body and in a lot of ways he’s built along the lines fo Bresee. He’s all big body. Man, if I’m a smaller guy, get under his pads and move him around and we saw that this year.”
- Draft projection: late day 2 to early day 3 pick
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7. Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
- Draft projection: early to mid Day 3 pick
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8. Jordan Jefferson, LSU
- Mike's take: “He was a transfer guy. You talk about a guy who gives you everything he’s got. … I talked to Pete Jenkins, he said, Mike, that guy can play at the next level. He may not be a star there, but he’ll be the first guy off the bench. He said, he is really good.”
- Draft projection: early to mid Day 3 pick
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9. Mekhi Wingo, LSU
- Mike's take: "Man, he’s versatile. He can play on the nose. He can play defensive tackle. They had thoughts that if he could’ve stayed healthy at even putting him as an end in a 3-4 alignment because of his quickness. For a big man, man he can get off the snap and he is disruptive and a really good interior pass-rusher.”
- Draft projection: early to mid Day 3 pick
This article is the eighth in a draft preview series with WWL analyst Mike Detillier, check back for breakdowns of other positions leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft.