Analyzing the most commonly mocked Saints’ 2021 NFL Draft prospects
Most Common Positions Selected
Per grindingthemocks.com, the most commonly selected positions for the Saints are:
- Linebacker/Edge
- Wide Receiver
- Cornerback
- Safety
- Interior Defensive Line
I’m guessing that the lack of distinction between edge rushers and off-ball linebackers in the traditional “outside linebacker” listing is conflating this list, but the defensive front seven is an area where many believe the Saints may look to benefit their team. Really, though, the fact of the matter is:
- Those aren’t very valuable positions
- Those aren’t the strength of the class
Most of the pass rushers in this draft are more developmental projects, so them, and the linebackers, would certainly profile as luxury picks a team like the Saints cannot make given their predicament.
If interior defensive lineman Christian Barmore is available, he’d be an optimal pick given the price of the position and his pass-rushing efficiency, which makes my model (17th) quite high on him. Outside of that, though, the perimeter should be the focus.
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There’s a likely chance that one or more of Moore, Toney, and Bateman are available at pick No. 28, and if that’s the case, then it’s likely that they should be the pick.
I could easily see Payton gravitating towards one of these players, and I have a very hard time believing Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris are their anticipated complementary receivers.
Meanwhile, cornerback depth is also an issue. Not only is Marshon Lattimore’s status in question, but they don’t have any young cornerbacks on the roster to build around on the outside. This could make for a very intriguing selection.
Patrick Surtain and Jaycee Horn won’t be available, while my model isn’t very high on Northwestern’s Greg Newsome, but what about Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley? If not for back injury concerns, he’d be a top-ten pick based on his absurd athleticism and production, and if available, the Saints could ignore his injury issues similar to what they did with Lattimore and Ryan Ramcyzk is 2017.
Whenever the quality of the player isn’t in question, that makes him a logical fit.
If not, Georgia’s Eric Stokes or Florida State’s Asante Samuel Jr. would be optimal selections. Both would likely still be available if they were to trade down, which is something they should seriously consider given the depth of perimeter talent.