Herbie Teope's 2017 Saints Mock Draft 3.0

Free agency adjusts approach
The New Orleans Saints filled a few holes in free agency, specifically at the linebacker position, pass rusher and the addition of a guard.
The ability to address those key areas allows flexibility leading to the draft in addition to holding an extra first-round pick (32nd overall) and third-round pick (103rd overall) from the trade that sent wide receiver Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick to the New England Patriots. The landscape could change yet again if the Saints land Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, a restricted free agent.
Given those scenarios, keep in mind that mock drafts should be viewed as an educational process to learn about players. It can’t be stressed enough that there is no exact science to mock drafts and how a team views a position group or player often differs from the media and fans.
Nevertheless, here’s the third edition for a mock draft:

Round 1 (11th overall): DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee
The past mock had Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster at this spot, but the Saints added two linebackers – Manti Te’o and A.J. Klein – in free agency capable of playing middle linebacker.
The Saints also signed pass rusher Alex Okafor in free agency, but the drafting of the 6-3, 259-pound Barnett should solidify the Saints’ desire to add pop to the pass rush.
Barnett terrorized quarterbacks the past three seasons, evidenced by 32 sacks while playing in one of the country’s premier college conferences.

Round 1 (32nd overall): CB Fabian Moreau, UCLA
This selection operates under the assumption Malcolm Butler isn’t on the roster on draft day. If that’s the case, Moreau fills the need for another cornerback.
According to reports, the pectoral injury Moreau suffered during his Pro Day workout may not be serious. He is currently being evaluated and it shouldn’t hurt his draft stock if the injury is minor.
The 6-0, 206-pound Moreau is rising fast, and Mike Mayock of the NFL Network and Rob Rang of CBS Sports and NFLDraftScout.com raved about him before the NFL Scouting Combine.
Moreau, who had a formal interview with the Saints at the Combine, ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash (4.35) among cornerbacks in Indianapolis and projects as a late first- or early second-round pick.

Round 2 (42nd overall): QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
He may not make it out of the first round, but this is a good spot if the Saints really want him. Mahomes produced gaudy numbers in Texas Tech’s air-raid offense, and he had a formal interview with the Saints at the Combine before a recent private on-campus workout with Saints coach Sean Payton in attendance. Sitting behind Drew Brees provides an ideal scenario for Mahomes to develop under one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

Round 3 (76th overall): S Marcus Maye, Florida
Maye makes a second consecutive appearance at this exact spot and the Saints could use another free safety when considering the release of Jairus Byrd. The 5-11, 216-pound Maye totaled 205 tackles (121 solo), five interceptions, a sack, six forced fumbles and 16 passes defensed on his college career.

Round 3 (103rd overall): OT Julien Davenport, Bucknell
The Saints could be in the market to add another tackle to bolster depth when considering right tackle Zach Strief turns 34 on Sept. 22 and Tony Hills remains unsigned.
Without a fourth-round pick, the Saints may have to pull the trigger here on the 6-7, 318-pound Davenport, whom NFL.com projects as an “odds-on favorite” to become the eighth non-FBS offensive lineman to be selected within the Top 100 picks. That’s pretty high praise, but Davenport is no secret.
Davenport, a three-time All-Patriot League selection, met with the Saints twice at the Combine in a formal and informal setting, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The Saints know players from smaller schools, of course, and drafted Terron Armstead in the third round (75th overall) out of Arkansas Pine-Bluff in 2013.

Round 6 (196th overall): DE Keionta Davis, Tennessee-Chattanooga
The 6-3, 271-pound Davis, who met with the Saints in an informal setting at the Combine, totaled 10 ½ sacks in 2016 and is a two-time All-American selection. Davis, the 2016 Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, showed he could hold his own against tough competition by notching four tackles and a ½ sacks against Alabama the past season.

Round 7 (229th overall): RB I’Tavius Mathers, Middle Tennessee
The Saints were among numerous teams at Mathers’ Pro Day and saw him post a 4.41 time in the 40-yard dash, which would have tied for the second-fastest mark for running backs at the Combine. Mathers, who totaled 2,194 yards of total offense in 2016, is a dual-threat out of the backfield as his 66 catches the past season shows.