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New Orleans Saints 2016 NFL Draft Profile: Andrew Billings

By Andrew Schuster

Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings (75) during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at McLane Stadium. The Sooners defeat the Bears 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings (75) during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at McLane Stadium. The Sooners defeat the Bears 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The defensive line remains a pressing need for the New Orleans Saints, so we take a look at Andrew Billings and suggest how he may fit into the picture down on the bayou.

We continue our New Orleans Saints draft profile series with Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings, a big man with an incredibly high ceiling in the NFL.

Measureables:
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 311 LBS
Arm length: 33 inches
Hands: 10 inches

Combine results:
40-yard dash: 5.05 seconds
Bench press (225 LBS): 31 reps (Top performer)
Vertical: 27.5 inches
Broad jump: 113 inches
3-cone drill: 8.05 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.82 seconds

Analysis:
One of the strongest and most powerful players in this year’s rookie class, Billings has the ability to be a top-tier defensive tackle, preferably at nose tackle. However, he has the tools to adjust to any scheme.

He’s big, mean, disruptive, plays with his pad level low, has powerful hands, and boasts a thick lower body. His flashes of greatness show everything you want from a guy in the trenches.

Billings lacks ideal athleticism, but the proper care under a solid coaching staff could help him quickly progress. His age could be an issue at the start (going on 21), but some leading from his coaches and teammates should help him acclimate to life at the next level.

Watch Billings anchor Baylor’s defensive line, constantly wreaking havoc in the West Virginia backfield:

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How he fits with the New Orleans Saints:
While Tyeler Davison looks to take a step forward following promising flashes in his rookie season, and John Jenkins continues his slow-paced climb, a starter-quality defensive tackle was still a massive need for the New Orleans Saints heading into the offseason.

Signing Nick Fairley was only a start, but adding Andrew Billings into the equation could give the New Orleans Saints pure power in the trenches to complement Fairley, Cam Jordan, and whoever starts at the other defensive end spot in 2016.

Thanks to his combination of size and power Billings’ stock continues to rise, as he is one of the more potentially disruptive tackles in this draft class. The New Orleans Saints could without question use a player of his caliber.  Billings could help anchor that line for the long-term.

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