The 2023 NFL draft is getting closer, and with free agency (mostly) in the rear-view mirror, the Saints needs are a lot clearer as well.
That's why it's a good time for mock draft 2.0, which Steve Geller and myself broke down this week on the podcast.
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Listen to the full breakdown of both mocks in the latest episode of Inside Black & Gold. Can't see the player above? Click here.
A big change: Zero DTs or QBs picked in the first three rounds, a direct result of key free agent signings. Scroll below for the top three picks for the Saints based off draft boards simulated by Pro Football Focus (if you'd like to argue about the order of the non-Saints picks, take it up with them).
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STEVE'S MOCK
- No. 29: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
- No. 40: Josh Downs, WR, N. Carolina
- No. 71: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
Mock 1.0 picks: Mazi Smith; O'Cyrus Torrence; Tyjae Spears (click here for more)
Why? It's not overly complicated in the first round. I understand RB might not be the biggest need for the Saints, but you could make the argument that Bijan Robinson is a top-5 talent, and his upside is just too much to pass up at the back end of the first round. ... I went a bit crazy at No. 40, bypassing some other needs to grab Josh Downs, but I want dynamic offense and you can only get that with dynamic athletes. ... The third-round pick is a luxury that I'm still second-guessing, but the Saints have shown a tendency to add corners even when they seem well-stocked at the position, and Ricks is an excellent value in the third round. I'd expect positions like DT and guard could be addressed in the 4th round and beyond.
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THE PICKS
(All non-Saints picks set by Pro Football Focus' simulator)
ROUND 1
1. Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
2. Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
3. Cardinals: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
4. Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
5. Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
6. Lions: Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
7. Raiders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
8. Falcons: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
9. Bears: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
10. Eagles: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
11. Titans: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
12. Texans: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
13. Jets: Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU
14. Patriots: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
15. Packers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
16. Commanders: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
17. Steelers: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
18. Lions: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
19. Bucs: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
20. Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
21. Chargers: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
22. Ravens: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
23. Vikings: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
24. Jaguars: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
25. Giants: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
26. Cowboys: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
27. Bills: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
28. Bengals: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
29. Saints: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
30. Eagles: Cam Smith, CB, S. Carolina
31. Chiefs: O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
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ROUND 2
32. Steelers: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
33. Texans: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
34. Cardinals: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
35. Colts: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
36. Rams: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Miss. State
37. Seahawks: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
38. Raiders: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
39. Panthers: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
40. Saints: Josh Downs, WR, N. Carolina
41. Titans: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
42. Browns: Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
43. Jets: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
44. Falcons: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
45. Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge, USC
46. Patriots: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon St.
47. Commanders: BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU
48. Lions: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
49. Steelers: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame
50. Bucs: Steve Avila, G, TCU
51. Dolphins: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
52. Seahawks: Felix Abudike-Uzomah, Edge, K. State
53. Bears: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
54. Chargers: Julius Brents, CB, K. State
55. Lions: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
56. Jaguars: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington St.
57. Giants: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
58. Cowboys: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
59. Bills: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Edge, Northwestern
60. Bengals: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
61. Bears: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
62. Eagles: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
63. Chiefs: Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
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ROUND 3
64. Bears: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
65. Texans: Andre Carter, II, Edge, Army
66. Cardinals: Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
67. Broncos: Darius Rush, CB, S. Carolina
68. Broncos: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
69. Rams: Cody Mauch, OT, N.D. State
70. Raiders: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
71. Saints: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
72. Titans: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
73. Texans: Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
74. Jets: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
75. Falcons: Nick Herbig, Edge, Wisconsin
76. Patriots: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
77. Rams: Gervon Dexter Sr., DT, Florida
78. Packers: Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford
79. Colts: Tucker Kraft, TE, S.D. State
80. Steelers: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
81. Lions: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
82. Bucs: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
83, Seahawks: Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn
84, Dolphins: Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee
85. Chargers: Christopher Smith, S, Georgia
86. Ravens: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
87. Vikings: Mike Morris, Edge, Michigan
88. Jaguars: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
89. Giants: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
90. Cowboys: DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
91. Bills: Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama
92. Bengals: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
93. Panthers: Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
94. Eagles: A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
95. Chiefs: Kyu Blue Kelly, CB, Stanford
96. Cardinals*: Zach Harrison, Edge, Ohio State
97. Commanders*: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
98.* Browns: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
99.* 49ers: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
100.* Raiders: J.L. Skinner, S, Boise State
101.* 49ers: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
102.* 49ers: Byron Young, DT, Alabama
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JEFF'S MOCK
- No. 29: O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
- No. 40: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame
- No. 71: Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
Mock 1.0 picks: Anthony Richardson; Siaki Ika; Darnell Washington (click here for more)
WHY? I was tempted to nab Mazi Smith because the DT still seems a bit thin, but he's got my lowest grade of the potential first-round guys and I just don't feel the need to reach at this spot with the additions over the past week. So I'm hitting a different big need with the top-graded interior lineman in the field with O'Cyrus Torrence. He checks all the boxes and makes you feel a lot better about your line depth behind Andrus Peat, while also setting him up to take over in the seasons to come. ... My second pick was a bit off the radar, but I still see it as a great value meets fit selection. Isaiah Foskey was productive in college, he's a team leader, he's a plus athlete and he'll help restock a DE cupboard that looks a bit thin after the departure of Marcus Davenport. And oh, hey, it doesn't hurt that his former coach is right up the road and would likely give a glowing endorsement (I'm talking about Brian Kelly). ... I was looking at the DT position here, but I'm not in love with any of of the options on the board. That's why I'm going with a player I do love in Nathaniel 'Tank' Dell out of Houston. I got a good look at him at the Senior Bowl this past season, and like him for a lot of the same reasons I liked Amon Ra St. Brown a few years back. He's not the biggest or fastest, but he's got excellent short-area quickness the footwork to create separation in the middle of the field, the red zone, and he's got elite ability to create after the catch. He's also got kick returner chops if you need to mine that part of his game. Between elite speed options like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, he'll be an elite slot weapon for years to come.
Oh, and if you hadn't noticed, there's another factor: All three are Senior Bowl guys.
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ROUND 1
1. Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
2. Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
3. Cardinals: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
4. Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
5. Seahawks: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
6. Lions: Will Anderson, LB, Alabama
7. Raiders: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
8. Falcons: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
9. Bears: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
10. Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
11. Titans: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
12. Texans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
13. Jets: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
14. Patriots: Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU
15. Packers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
16. Commanders: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
17. Steelers: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
18. Lions: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
19. Bucs: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
20. Seahawks: Brian Bresee, DT, Clemson
21. Chargers: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
22. Ravens: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
23. Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
24. Jaguars: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
25. Giants: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
26. Cowboys: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
27. Bulls: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
28. Bengals: Josh Downs, WR, N. Carolina
29. Saints: O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
30. Eagles: Cam Smith, CB, S. Carolina
31. Chiefs: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
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ROUND 2
32. Steelers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
33. Texans: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
34. Cardinals: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
35. Colts: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
36. Rams: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
37. Seahawks: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Edge, Northwestern
38. Raiders: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
39. Panthers: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
40. Saints: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame
41. Titans: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Miss. State
42. Jets: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
43. Jets: B.J. Ojulari, Edge, LSU
44. Falcons: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
45. Packers: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
46. Patriots: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
47. Commanders: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
48. Lions: Daiyan Henley, LB, Wash. State
49. Steelers: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
50. Bucs: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
51. Dolphins: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State
52. Seahawks: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
53. Bears: Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge, USC
54. Chargers: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
55. Lions: Steve Avila, G, TCU
56. Jaguars: Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
57. Giants: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
58. Cowboys: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
59. Bills: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
60. Bengals: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
61. Bears: Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn
62. Eagles: Siaki Ika, DT, Auburn
63. Chiefs: Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
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ROUND 3
64. Bears: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
65. Texans: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
66. Cardinals: Cody Mauch, OT, N.D. State
67. Broncos: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
68. Broncos: Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
69. Rams: Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
70. Raiders: Clark Phillips, CB, Utah
71. Saints: Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
72. Titans: A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
73. Texans: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
74. Browns: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
75. Falcons: Marvin Mins, WR, Oklahoma
76. Patriots: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
77. Rams: Andre Carter II, Edge, Army
78. Packers: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
79. Colts: Tucker Kraft, TE, S.D. State
80. Steelers: Darius Rush, CB, S. Carolina
81. Lions: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
82. Bucs: Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford
83. Seahawks: Gervon Dexter Sr., DT, Florida
84. Lions: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
85. Chargers: Nick Herbig, Edge, Wisconsin
86. Ravens: DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
87. Vikings: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
88. Jaguars: D.J. Turner, CB, Michigan
89. Giants: Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
90. Cowboys: Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
91. Bills: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
92. Bengals: Christopher Smith, S, Georgia
93. Panthers: Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
94. Eagles: Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
95. Chiefs: Zach Harrison, Edge, Ohio State
96.* Cardinals: Zacch Pickens, DT, S. Carolina
97.* Commanders: Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee
98.* Browns: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
99.* 49ers. Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
100.* Raiders: Jartavius Martin, CB, Illinois
101.* 49ers: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
102.* 49ers: Byron Young, DT, Alabama
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