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Fletcher Mackel's newest mock draft
Posted on 4/6/20 at 10:32 am
Posted on 4/6/20 at 10:32 am
1st Round (Pick No. 24 Overall)
A.J. Epenesa
Defensive End
6'5, 275 lbs.
University of Iowa
WHY:
Cam Jordan is a perennial Pro-Bowl selection, Marcus Davenport has shown tremendous flashes and Trey Hendrickson is entering a contract year so the Saints are solid at DE. But Davenport is coming off another injury and his status for the start of training camp is unclear. Hendrickson could have a breakout campaign (a la defensive tackle David Onyemata in 2019) or he could regress, he's somewhat of a wild card to me. So adding Epenesa is a smart, safe move. I could even see creating mismatches and lining up Jordan, Epenesa, Davenport and Hendrickson together in some packages. Last year, Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had a rotation of 7-8 quality d-lineman he deployed and the unit, when healthy, was fantastic. They could be even better in 2020 by adding a versatile player like Epenesa, who in three seasons with the Hawkeyes racked up 26.5 sacks.
3rd R ound (Pick No. 88 Overall)
Akeem Davis-Gathier
Linebacker
6'1, 225 lbs.
Appalachian State University
WHY:
While I think the Saints could go with a linebacker in the first round (Patrick Queen, Kenneth Murray, Zach Baun) -- I'm certain at some point in the 2020 draft they'll add a linebacker -- and it's in round three.
A bit undersized, Davis-Gathier was super productive for an App State team that played in the previous two New Orleans Bowl games. He should also be able to contribute immediately on special teams.
4th Round (Pick No. 130 Overall)
Thaddeus Moss
Tight End
6'2, 250 lbs.
LSU
WHY:
I'm not sure if LSU fans will be happy or upset with this selection. Happy because Moss is a great fit in NOLA, but upset because I think Moss (due to injury history) slips in the draft and will be available in the fourth round. Look, the Saints have Jared Cook as their starter and unsung veteran Josh Hill as TE2 -- but they could use a 3rd tight end. Taysom Hill has filled that void and may again in 2020. But, if Moss, a projected third-round selection is available late in the fourth round, I could see Sean Payton jumping all over him and Moss making an immediate impact as TE3 or in an H-back type role.
5th Round (Pick No. 169 Overall)
L'Jarius Sneed
Cornerback
6'0, 190 lbs.
Louisiana Tech
WHY:
While the Saints have proven starting cornerbacks in two-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore and veteran Janoris Jenkins, they could use more depth. The team re-signed backup P.J. Williams but Sneed would be a nice addition this late.
6th Round (Pick No. 203 Overall)
Cole McDonald
Quarterback
6'3, 215 lbs.
University of Hawaii
WHY:
Sean Payton has said he expects Taysom Hill to be Drew Brees' backup. Payton has also said because they plan to deploy Hill in a variety of ways on the field, the Saints will need to carry a third, emergency quarterback on game day. While signing a veteran like Josh McCown makes great sense, I could also see NOLA adding a developmental QB. I watched a lot of the NFL combine and McDonald was impressive. If the Saints go young, not old filling the third quarterback role, I could see a guy like McDonald being the pick here.
LINK
A.J. Epenesa
Defensive End
6'5, 275 lbs.
University of Iowa
WHY:
Cam Jordan is a perennial Pro-Bowl selection, Marcus Davenport has shown tremendous flashes and Trey Hendrickson is entering a contract year so the Saints are solid at DE. But Davenport is coming off another injury and his status for the start of training camp is unclear. Hendrickson could have a breakout campaign (a la defensive tackle David Onyemata in 2019) or he could regress, he's somewhat of a wild card to me. So adding Epenesa is a smart, safe move. I could even see creating mismatches and lining up Jordan, Epenesa, Davenport and Hendrickson together in some packages. Last year, Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had a rotation of 7-8 quality d-lineman he deployed and the unit, when healthy, was fantastic. They could be even better in 2020 by adding a versatile player like Epenesa, who in three seasons with the Hawkeyes racked up 26.5 sacks.
3rd R ound (Pick No. 88 Overall)
Akeem Davis-Gathier
Linebacker
6'1, 225 lbs.
Appalachian State University
WHY:
While I think the Saints could go with a linebacker in the first round (Patrick Queen, Kenneth Murray, Zach Baun) -- I'm certain at some point in the 2020 draft they'll add a linebacker -- and it's in round three.
A bit undersized, Davis-Gathier was super productive for an App State team that played in the previous two New Orleans Bowl games. He should also be able to contribute immediately on special teams.
4th Round (Pick No. 130 Overall)
Thaddeus Moss
Tight End
6'2, 250 lbs.
LSU
WHY:
I'm not sure if LSU fans will be happy or upset with this selection. Happy because Moss is a great fit in NOLA, but upset because I think Moss (due to injury history) slips in the draft and will be available in the fourth round. Look, the Saints have Jared Cook as their starter and unsung veteran Josh Hill as TE2 -- but they could use a 3rd tight end. Taysom Hill has filled that void and may again in 2020. But, if Moss, a projected third-round selection is available late in the fourth round, I could see Sean Payton jumping all over him and Moss making an immediate impact as TE3 or in an H-back type role.
5th Round (Pick No. 169 Overall)
L'Jarius Sneed
Cornerback
6'0, 190 lbs.
Louisiana Tech
WHY:
While the Saints have proven starting cornerbacks in two-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore and veteran Janoris Jenkins, they could use more depth. The team re-signed backup P.J. Williams but Sneed would be a nice addition this late.
6th Round (Pick No. 203 Overall)
Cole McDonald
Quarterback
6'3, 215 lbs.
University of Hawaii
WHY:
Sean Payton has said he expects Taysom Hill to be Drew Brees' backup. Payton has also said because they plan to deploy Hill in a variety of ways on the field, the Saints will need to carry a third, emergency quarterback on game day. While signing a veteran like Josh McCown makes great sense, I could also see NOLA adding a developmental QB. I watched a lot of the NFL combine and McDonald was impressive. If the Saints go young, not old filling the third quarterback role, I could see a guy like McDonald being the pick here.
LINK
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Posted on 4/6/20 at 10:35 am to hsfolk
The only one of those that is even remotely appealing is A.J. Epenesa
I'd be ok with that first round pick .. Poo Poo the rest though.
I'd be ok with that first round pick .. Poo Poo the rest though.
Posted on 4/6/20 at 10:39 am to hsfolk
I like Epenesa but I don’t think he fits scheme wise. I think he will be one of those guys that tested poorly at the combine but is a great football player. I just don’t know if he is athletic enough to play a 4-3 end. I think he may be more of a 3-4 end. Davis-Gathier is a good pickup in the 3rd. I think Thad would be a good addition as a utility tight end but that may be early for him but it is hard to gauge his value right now with him being hurt.
Posted on 4/6/20 at 10:42 am to hsfolk
I usually take anything either of those dorky arse Mackel twins say with a giant grain of salt
Posted on 4/6/20 at 10:42 am to hsfolk
Well, you can now assume we won't draft any of those guys come draft night.
Posted on 4/6/20 at 10:56 am to hsfolk
What an awful draft that would be.
Posted on 4/6/20 at 10:59 am to hsfolk
Horrible draft
Posted on 4/6/20 at 11:13 am to Snipe
L'Jarius Sneed
_______________________________________________
Sneed is good but he is not even close to Amik Robertson level. If Amik is there in the 3rd we have to take him. 5'9'' but the absolute real deal. Is Fletcher on something?
_______________________________________________
Sneed is good but he is not even close to Amik Robertson level. If Amik is there in the 3rd we have to take him. 5'9'' but the absolute real deal. Is Fletcher on something?
Posted on 4/6/20 at 11:18 am to Hetfield
quote:
Sneed is good but he is not even close to Amik Robertson level. If Amik is there in the 3rd we have to take him. 5'9'' but the absolute real deal. Is Fletcher on something?
We have at least 4 players capable of playing the nickel corner roll effectively. We don’t need another.
Posted on 4/6/20 at 11:25 am to hsfolk
No way we come close to winning anything of merit if we don’t add another viable wr. Sanders is a nice add but he’s rather long in the tooth and nobody else else at the WR position outside of MT has shown even remotely consistent ability in the nfl.
This post was edited on 4/6/20 at 11:27 am
Posted on 4/6/20 at 11:57 am to hsfolk
Gross
Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:01 pm to St Augustine
I agree. If we go defense round 1 we need to go WR in the third and while I like Epenesa, he’s a luxury pick and we can’t afford that kind of pick unless we add a FA LB in the coming weeks, which could happen.
Bradham and Ogletree are still out there and while they wouldn’t move the needle much, they’d be solid players on one or two year deals and give us solid depth. They’d be better than Kiko. I say this only because it seems to be Payton’s MO to add LBs in FA and not through the draft (wanted Collins, added Kiko via trade, Klein and Davis through FA)
He’s never really valued LB play outside of adding a guy like Vilma/Davis. So I could def see us passing on Murray and Queen and this board shitting a brick come draft day. But I could also see us adding that FA LB so it frees us up even more to take the absolute best player available regardless of position.
Bradham and Ogletree are still out there and while they wouldn’t move the needle much, they’d be solid players on one or two year deals and give us solid depth. They’d be better than Kiko. I say this only because it seems to be Payton’s MO to add LBs in FA and not through the draft (wanted Collins, added Kiko via trade, Klein and Davis through FA)
He’s never really valued LB play outside of adding a guy like Vilma/Davis. So I could def see us passing on Murray and Queen and this board shitting a brick come draft day. But I could also see us adding that FA LB so it frees us up even more to take the absolute best player available regardless of position.
Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:07 pm to St Augustine
quote:
No way we come close to winning anything of merit if we don’t add another viable wr. Sanders is a nice add but he’s rather long in the tooth and nobody else else at the WR position outside of MT has shown even remotely consistent ability in the nfl.
Yea, I'd be a little disappointed if we took a DE in the 1st, TE in the 4th, & QB in the 6th. All of them before a WR. A QB in the 6th is usually a complete waste of a draft pick as well. Tom Brady has only happened once.
I'd put LB, WR, CB, & OT/OG as our 4 most important positions. I'd be ok with a QB in the 1st if CSP's guy is there, but after the 1st round/early 2nd...QB's usually don't pan out.
I'd even take Delpit at 24 if he fell, but I just don't think DE is a good idea in the 1st. Cam Jordan is signed thru 2023 & Davenport is signed thru 2021 + the 5th year option. DE in the 1st is about as bad of a pick as DT in the 1st imo.
This post was edited on 4/6/20 at 12:30 pm
Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:09 pm to WicKed WayZ
If we don't go LB I wonder what direction we go in. I guess either WR or DB.
Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:09 pm to Mpd31
quote:
I like Epenesa but I don’t think he fits scheme wise. I think he will be one of those guys that tested poorly at the combine but is a great football player. I just don’t know if he is athletic enough to play a 4-3 end. I think he may be more of a 3-4 end.
IIRC, this is what everyone was saying about Cam Jordan as well. I haven’t looked at Epenssa much, I just remember the comments about Cam Jordan when he was drafted.
Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:13 pm to Suntiger
I don't know anything about Epenesa, & he could end up being a good player. D-Line is, literally, last on our list of needs.
Well almost last. If I had to break down positions of need for the draft...
Tier 1 (biggest needs)
LB, WR, CB
Tier 2
OT, OG, QB (only an early pick though)
Tier 3
S, TE, RB, DE
Tier 4 (lowest needs)
K, P, LS, FB, OC, DT
Well almost last. If I had to break down positions of need for the draft...
Tier 1 (biggest needs)
LB, WR, CB
Tier 2
OT, OG, QB (only an early pick though)
Tier 3
S, TE, RB, DE
Tier 4 (lowest needs)
K, P, LS, FB, OC, DT
This post was edited on 4/6/20 at 12:32 pm
Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:36 pm to Mpd31
quote:
We have at least 4 players capable of playing the nickel corner roll effectively. We don’t need another.
This is very true. CGJ, PJ Williams, PRob, & Malcolm Jenkins can all play slot. CGJ & Jenkins would get torched on the outside...PJ & PRob have never proven to be consistently good on the outside. Hardee plays the outside, but hasn't earned any stripes yet. Deatrick Nichols hasn't proven anything in the NFL.
If we draft CB, it has to be someone that can play on the outside.
This post was edited on 4/6/20 at 12:45 pm
Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:38 pm to Suntiger
quote:
IIRC, this is what everyone was saying about Cam Jordan as well. I haven’t looked at Epenssa much, I just remember the comments about Cam Jordan when he was drafted
Cam ran a 4.69 40 yard dash. Epenesa ran a 5.1.
Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:38 pm to St Augustine
I think another WR is a luxury not a necessity. It would a futures move, not a win now.
I was looking the other day - Where does another WR fit, especially with a rookie learning curve ?
Last year
MT saw 32% of the targets
Kamara 17%
Cook 11%
Ginn’s vacated 10%
A glob if guys saw the rest - Lat Murray, Josh Hill, Trequan, Taysom, Deonte etc
I think everyone would agree that MT, Kamara, Cook, Sanders are locked into their targets. Thomas and Kamara see less of a share I bet but they’ll all probably equal ~70% of your looks.
Lat Murray saw 7%, he will get his just by the snaps he will see.
Taysom saw 4% in a very limited role, you’d assume he gets more looks.... more than trequan? Let’s call Taysom 7%. You’re at 84% of the targets.
Josh Hill gets his 5%. Now you’re at 90%
Trequan and Deonte fills out the last 10%?
SP offenses have been structured similarly since the start. With the addition of Sanders and an increased role for Taysom, I think that’s a good collective group of pass catchers at full health. Trequan and Harris can fill a role.
If we added a rookie, where does he fit in? Which current guy gets booted?
I was looking the other day - Where does another WR fit, especially with a rookie learning curve ?
Last year
MT saw 32% of the targets
Kamara 17%
Cook 11%
Ginn’s vacated 10%
A glob if guys saw the rest - Lat Murray, Josh Hill, Trequan, Taysom, Deonte etc
I think everyone would agree that MT, Kamara, Cook, Sanders are locked into their targets. Thomas and Kamara see less of a share I bet but they’ll all probably equal ~70% of your looks.
Lat Murray saw 7%, he will get his just by the snaps he will see.
Taysom saw 4% in a very limited role, you’d assume he gets more looks.... more than trequan? Let’s call Taysom 7%. You’re at 84% of the targets.
Josh Hill gets his 5%. Now you’re at 90%
Trequan and Deonte fills out the last 10%?
SP offenses have been structured similarly since the start. With the addition of Sanders and an increased role for Taysom, I think that’s a good collective group of pass catchers at full health. Trequan and Harris can fill a role.
If we added a rookie, where does he fit in? Which current guy gets booted?
Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:43 pm to GynoSandberg
If we added a legit #3...I think he would get enough targets. The problem was Ginn & Tre'Quan couldn't really get open very often. The light hasn't clicked with Tre'Quan & Ginn's age finally caught up with him.
We could probably get it done without a legit #3, but this offense would much harder to defend if we had 1.
I actually think Taysom could be our #3 WR. He really got a lot better in the receiving game last year.
We could probably get it done without a legit #3, but this offense would much harder to defend if we had 1.
I actually think Taysom could be our #3 WR. He really got a lot better in the receiving game last year.
This post was edited on 4/6/20 at 12:48 pm
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