Todd McShay’s Mock 4.0: Vic Beasley, Kevin Johnson to the New Orleans Saints

The latest NFL Mock Draft is out from ESPN’s Todd McShay (requires ESPN Insider), and it has the New Orleans Saints continuing to address defense with both first round picks. Once again, McShay has chosen Clemson’s Vic Beasley for the black and gold at 13th overall, and has selected Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson at 31st overall.

Here’s what McShay had to say about Beasley:

"Analysis: The Saints’ biggest need areas are outside linebacker and offensive line, and they could also look at a cornerback, pass-catcher or nose tackle Danny Shelton, were he still on the board. I’ll have them go with Beasley. I’m a little concerned by the fact that I don’t see much power to his game when I study his tape, but the fact that he bulked up to 246 pounds and put up a linebacker-best 35 bench-press reps is encouraging. There’s no questioning his explosive first step or college production, either."

Kevin Johnson is a relatively new name paired to the New Orleans Saints. McShay had this to say about the six foot corner:

"Analysis: The Saints addressed the cornerback position in free agency by signing Brandon Browner, but adding another corner certainly wouldn’t hurt. Johnson isn’t exceptional in any one trait, but he’s good in every area. He’s a different kind of player than Browner, who is more of a big, physical press corner, but Johnson still has above-average size at 6-0, 188, and he has the fluidity and athleticism to hold up as a nickel corner early in his career. Some fans might want to see a pass-catcher here, since the Saints traded away Jimmy Graham to get this pick along with center Max Unger, but in Johnson and Vic Beasley, the player I had them taking at No. 13, the Saints get two young players who can help a pass defense that was awful last season."

Johnson has appeared on many prior mocks, but most have him going in the middle 20-25 picks. CBS Sports compares him to Tracy Porter, who Saints fan know much about.

Previous Selections by Todd McShay:

• Mock Draft 1.0 – OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
• Mock Draft 2.0 – OLB Dante Fowler Jr., Florida
• Mock Draft 3.0 – OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson

Previous Selections by Mel Kiper Jr:

• Mock Draft 1.0 – OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
• Mock Draft 2.0 – OLB Dante Fowler Jr. Florida
• Mock Draft 3.0 – OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson

We’re counting down the final weeks until the NFL Draft starts on April 30. It’ll be interesting to see who continues to emerge on Mock Drafts, and more importantly who the Saints will ultimately take with the two first round selections.

Would you be satisfied with picking two defenders in the first round, or are your hearts set on another player in the draft? Sound off below!