2016 NFL Draft: 7 targets for New Orleans Saints in each round

6 of 7

Nov 14, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles wide receiver Michael Thomas (88) scores a touchdown agains the Rice Owls in the second quarter at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5, Pick 152

Mike Thomas, WR, Southern Miss
6-foot-1, 200 LBS

Thomas is easily one of my favorite players in this draft. He has great hands and is just one of those guys who outworks his opponent. He has all the attributes to be a great receiver for the New Orleans Saints. He needs to get better at separating and blocking, which I think he will. He could be that late-round gem the Saints are looking for and have been so good at discovering in the past.

Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa
6-foot-3, 220 LBS

A big-bodied receiver who wins a lot of 50/50 balls, Garrett has exceptional hands. Other than some of the early-round wide receivers, I think Garrett could be exactly what the Saints’ offense needs. He possesses length that could be useful, especially in the red-zone. He could be a nice weapon opposite Brandin Cooks.

Matt Judon, DE, Grand Valley State
6-foot-3, 275 LBS

Judon is a guy most people haven’t heard of, but his stock has been rising as of late. He had a boatload of production in college, including a staggering 20 sacks and three forced fumbles this past season. Sure, he is from a small school and his stats could be due to the competition he is going up against, however, I think the guy would be a nice pick and an exceptional rotational guy on the defensive line.

Cayleb Jones, WR, Arizona
6-foot-3, 209 LBS

A raw wide receiver with potential, Jones would be a project for the New Orleans Saints, but that could be worth a fifth-round pick. His best play is the fade route, which would be nice for the Saints to have in the red zone. New Orleans needs a big-bodied receiver in this draft and Jones definitely fits that description. His route running needs to improve and he needs to get better at getting off press coverage, but I’d imagine the Saints can help him develop into a good receiver.

Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State
6-foot-2, 284 LBS

Blair is a smaller (but thicker) defensive end who isn’t the quickest, but he has nice bend around the edges. He is a strong guy whose go-to move is the bull rush, which he does well. He’s a great locker room guy and has shown good leadership qualities, which is one thing the Saints always look for in their players.

Victor Ochi, DE, Stony Brook
6-foot-1, 246 LBS

I had never heard of Ochi or Stony Brook college, but then he dominated the East/West Shrine Game. The guy is short for a defensive end, but he makes up for it with effort, a quick first step, and his long arms to help shed blocks. Since he played so well against the competition at the shrine game, it showed me that he has potential and would be worth the risk in the fifth round. He could pay off generously.

Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
6-foot, 239 LBS

Wright is an instinctive linebacker who is always around the ball. He diagnoses the play and reacts quickly. That being said, he had a pretty bad combine and didn’t do as well as most teams had hoped for, which is why his draft stock dropped down to the fifth round. He may be one of those guys who just doesn’t test well but is a good football player. He was very productive at Arizona and could surprise some people and be a nice pick for the New Orleans Saints

Next: Round 7