Another Early New Orleans Saints 2016 Mock Draft

The New Orleans Saints go heavy on defense in this 2016 Mock Draft prior to the upcoming Senior Bowl.

The New Orleans Saints are on a mission, not from God, but from their fan base, from history, and from the desire to be a great and feared organization once again.

After turning in their third losing season in the last four years, it’s not the end of the world, nor is it the end of an era.  Drew Brees is still an elite quarterback, and if you give him the supporting cast he needs to help make this team flourish, then there is another shot before he calls it a career.

The 2015 New Orleans Saints were a young football team — a young and unhealthy football team.  Does that mean they could have been good if everybody was on the field simultaneously?  Maybe, but likely not.  This was still a developing group brimming with unproven talent and a history of bad draft picks and misses in the free agent market.  And it doesn’t get any more true than that, despite whether or not you want to believe it.

But 2016 will be a new year and a fresh start.  Many guys will grow over the offseason.  They’ll learn new things while improving the stuff they already know.  That’s the beauty of the game.  The point is to get better as you gain more experience.  It happens every year.

And with the 2016 NFL Draft approaching, the Saints will get another chance to rack up on some young talent blessed with the athletic abilities and potential to strive at the next level.  Last year’s draft is proving to be a success, and they’ll hope to carry that over into this year’s selection process.

The incoming rookie class is crowded with promising talent.  With the Senior Bowl, which will be played Jan. 30, next up on the agenda, this is their last chance to show their in-game competitiveness and abilities before the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February.

In the days, weeks and months leading up to the draft, mocks will be a common occurrence.  Despite the season not officially being over until either the Denver Broncos or Carolina Panthers are crowned world champions, I couldn’t help but put together my first mock draft.

With that being said, I give you an early mock draft for your beloved Black and Gold.  Think of it as a pre-Senior Bowl mock, because there will be many more to come.  And now, with the 12th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select…

Next: Round 1, Pick 12