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LSU linebacker prospect Jabril Cox says he's had multiple meetings with the Saints
Posted on 4/15/21 at 12:44 pm
Posted on 4/15/21 at 12:44 pm
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The Saints defense has taken some hits this offseason, especially in the middle of the linebacker corps. Alex Anzalone left town for a free agent deal with the Detroit Lions; his replacement, midseason trade pickup Kwon Alexander, was released amid salary cap cuts and continues to recover from Achilles surgery. Craig Robertson, their most-experienced backup and special teams captain, remains unsigned after his contract expired.
So it makes sense for New Orleans to scout their options at linebacker in this year’s NFL draft. One popular pick has been Tulsa product Zaven Collins, who was recently mocked to the Saints by ESPN’s Mel Kiper. But a name to watch out for his LSU standout Jabril Cox.
“No they’re definitely really interested,” Cox told WWL TV’s Doug Mouton. “I’ve been on multiple Zoom calls with them, they’ve said they’ll be down there for my pro day when I have it on the April 26, so the interest is there with them.”
Cox transferred to Baton Rouge from North Dakota State, where he earned all-conference and All-American recognition before making the jump to face top competition in the SEC. He’s on the lighter side at 6-foot-3 and 231 pounds — as many modern linebackers are — but has enjoyed the benefits of greater mobility, which gives him an edge in pass coverage.
Last season with LSU, he deflected nine passes thrown into his coverage (interception three of them) without allowing a touchdown or drawing a penalty, ranking fourth in the nation in forced incompletions. That’s part of a trend he established at North Dakota State: in total, Pro Football Focus charted him with 1,114 snaps in coverage at the college level, yielding just two touchdowns against eight career interceptions.
That would be a big boost to the Saints, who struggled to consistently defend the pass last year. Anzalone’s mistakes in zone coverage allowed too many free receivers running across the middle of the field and into the flats, and his athletic deficiencies made him a liability in man coverage. Alexander’s addition helped out in a big way, but his late-season injury didn’t solve the problem.
It’s easy to see why the Saints are in on Cox. His scouting report isn’t perfect, but there’s plenty of positives to explain their interest. He needs to get stronger and do a better job disengaging from blockers. He’s also notorious for erratic decisions in run defense, like plugging the wrong gap and taking inefficient angles to the ball. Those are issues that can be addressed with NFL-quality coaching and development; still, they’re flaws worth noting.
So where is he projected to be drafted? There isn’t much consensus on the exact spot or team fit, but the expectation seems to be that Cox will be a second round pick. Depending on how well he runs at his last-minute pro day (he had to sit out LSU’s initial workouts while managing a strained hamstring), he could slip down to the third round. But with the Saints slotted to pick at No. 60 overall near the end of round two, maybe he’s someone they consider trading up for. It’s a subplot we’ll be monitoring on draft night.
The Saints defense has taken some hits this offseason, especially in the middle of the linebacker corps. Alex Anzalone left town for a free agent deal with the Detroit Lions; his replacement, midseason trade pickup Kwon Alexander, was released amid salary cap cuts and continues to recover from Achilles surgery. Craig Robertson, their most-experienced backup and special teams captain, remains unsigned after his contract expired.
So it makes sense for New Orleans to scout their options at linebacker in this year’s NFL draft. One popular pick has been Tulsa product Zaven Collins, who was recently mocked to the Saints by ESPN’s Mel Kiper. But a name to watch out for his LSU standout Jabril Cox.
“No they’re definitely really interested,” Cox told WWL TV’s Doug Mouton. “I’ve been on multiple Zoom calls with them, they’ve said they’ll be down there for my pro day when I have it on the April 26, so the interest is there with them.”
Cox transferred to Baton Rouge from North Dakota State, where he earned all-conference and All-American recognition before making the jump to face top competition in the SEC. He’s on the lighter side at 6-foot-3 and 231 pounds — as many modern linebackers are — but has enjoyed the benefits of greater mobility, which gives him an edge in pass coverage.
Last season with LSU, he deflected nine passes thrown into his coverage (interception three of them) without allowing a touchdown or drawing a penalty, ranking fourth in the nation in forced incompletions. That’s part of a trend he established at North Dakota State: in total, Pro Football Focus charted him with 1,114 snaps in coverage at the college level, yielding just two touchdowns against eight career interceptions.
That would be a big boost to the Saints, who struggled to consistently defend the pass last year. Anzalone’s mistakes in zone coverage allowed too many free receivers running across the middle of the field and into the flats, and his athletic deficiencies made him a liability in man coverage. Alexander’s addition helped out in a big way, but his late-season injury didn’t solve the problem.
It’s easy to see why the Saints are in on Cox. His scouting report isn’t perfect, but there’s plenty of positives to explain their interest. He needs to get stronger and do a better job disengaging from blockers. He’s also notorious for erratic decisions in run defense, like plugging the wrong gap and taking inefficient angles to the ball. Those are issues that can be addressed with NFL-quality coaching and development; still, they’re flaws worth noting.
So where is he projected to be drafted? There isn’t much consensus on the exact spot or team fit, but the expectation seems to be that Cox will be a second round pick. Depending on how well he runs at his last-minute pro day (he had to sit out LSU’s initial workouts while managing a strained hamstring), he could slip down to the third round. But with the Saints slotted to pick at No. 60 overall near the end of round two, maybe he’s someone they consider trading up for. It’s a subplot we’ll be monitoring on draft night.
Posted on 4/15/21 at 1:12 pm to GMoney2600
Someone must have only told Payton about him playing at North Dakota State if the Saints are interested.
Posted on 4/15/21 at 1:29 pm to GMoney2600
Yes please. He was not utilized properly last season.
Posted on 4/15/21 at 1:30 pm to touchdownjeebus
He's a great player that would address a position of need. WANT.
Posted on 4/15/21 at 3:07 pm to GMoney2600
Wasn't the best tackler but he can cover like a safety
Posted on 4/15/21 at 3:37 pm to GMoney2600
I wouldn’t be mad at all if we took him at 60.
Posted on 4/15/21 at 4:43 pm to Suntiger
He will be the saint we draft that turns out to be a ducking bust
Watch
He’s got size but the SEC olinemen ate him up
Watch
He’s got size but the SEC olinemen ate him up
Posted on 4/15/21 at 5:07 pm to GMoney2600
Better suited to pro game. Would love that pick
Posted on 4/15/21 at 6:24 pm to GMoney2600
I’d love to get a LB early but Sean just doesn’t value the position like others so I think unless a player was just on top of their draft board at LB they will go after a CB, DT or WR with the first pick and then if I had to put money on it they will look for a QB with round 2 or 3 thinking they can find another veteran stopgap LB.
Posted on 4/15/21 at 6:33 pm to LSUJD_04
I’d love to get a LB early but Sean just doesn’t value the position like others so I think unless a player was just on top of their draft board at LB they will go after a CB, DT or WR with the first pick and then if I had to put money on it they will look for a QB with round 2 or 3 thinking they can find another veteran stopgap LB.
This is not really true. Sean will go BPA as always. He has drafted Stephone Anthony in the first, tried to draft Reuben Foster but got jumped, rumored to have wanted Kenneth Murray last year, tried to trade back into the first to get Baun
This is not really true. Sean will go BPA as always. He has drafted Stephone Anthony in the first, tried to draft Reuben Foster but got jumped, rumored to have wanted Kenneth Murray last year, tried to trade back into the first to get Baun
Posted on 4/15/21 at 8:40 pm to GMoney2600
Do you think they are looking to use Cox the same way Richard used Chancellor in Seattle? I'm just wondering cuz I've read a couple things about Richard Sherman possibly signing with the Saints.
Posted on 4/15/21 at 9:18 pm to GMoney2600
I've been saying this pick made so much sense. It's a gaping hole that the saints need to fill. I wouldn't be surprised if the saints considered him with their first. But I'd much rather it be a pick they trade up for in the second. Use the first on a corner. I think he's projected late first early second in a lot of mocks i've seen though.
Posted on 4/15/21 at 10:02 pm to tigersquad89
No way they would or should use 28 to take Cox that’s just way too much of a reach. The only LB worth taking at that spot is Parsons, the Notre Dame LB (who I think would be a superstar in our defense) or Zaven Collins. The kids from Kentucky and Mizzou would be borderline 1st guys but the other 3 are no doubt 1st rounders. Zaven Collins is a very interesting player who could be a Leighton VanderEsch type LB with his size/speed combo. The ND kid would be a Lavonte David type LB but he will go top 20 with Parsons.
Posted on 4/15/21 at 11:22 pm to GMoney2600
If a good corner doesn’t fall then I see us going LB at 28.
But there’s soooo much smoke around Farley falling to 28. Seems the Saints are doing their homework in case that happens (or Newsome falls).
But there’s soooo much smoke around Farley falling to 28. Seems the Saints are doing their homework in case that happens (or Newsome falls).
Posted on 4/16/21 at 5:51 am to GMoney2600
Saints don't need to be waisting picks by using up. Unless a QB is falling.
Posted on 4/16/21 at 7:34 am to WicKed WayZ
Multiple meetings you say? He’s definitely not getting drafted by the Saints lol.
Posted on 4/16/21 at 10:00 am to GMoney2600
He is also linked to Detroit Lions from what I've seen.
Posted on 4/16/21 at 10:29 am to Mpd31
I think baun will eventually be good but that would have been bad if they traded back into the first for him.
I know underhill said it but i wonder the circumstances around it.
I know underhill said it but i wonder the circumstances around it.
This post was edited on 4/16/21 at 10:30 am
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