Saints-specific notes ahead of the NFL draft! (Long)

The 5 position groups I can realistically see us targeting (in order of my preference) and my personal preferences on who we should be going after at those spots.

Notes before we get started:
I assume we’re staying put at 28, and not factoring in today’s rumors of a trade up into the top 10.
Since I’m assuming we stay put at 28, I’m ignoring the QB position entirely, since I don’t think that’s a good move at 28. I’m also ignoring running back, as it wouldn’t make sense to do that in the first.
I’m ignoring players who have basically no chance at all of still being around at 28. I will, however, consider players who most likely won’t be there, but could be if things go right. For example, I won’t consider Horn or Surtain, but Farley could be in play bc of the medical.


Position Group 1: LB

This is the spot I most want the saints to go in round 1. With Kwon leaving, we need someone else to pair with Demario.
Micah Parson will be gone. I think Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will most likely be gone as well, but if he’s still there that’s a no-brainer for me. Otherwise, I’m looking at Zaven Collins or Jamin Davis.
28 might be a little high for Davis, or might already be gone, who knows. I don’t see him still around at 60, so if Owusu-Koramoah and Collins are both gone it’s worth it to me.
If we don’t go LB in round 1, I’m looking at Joseph Ossai in the second. Most projections have him as an edge rusher in the NFL, but I think he could end up in either role very successfully.


Position Group 2: CB
I’ve been calling for Jaycee horn since early in the CFB season. At this point, theres no chance he’s still around.
If Farley is still around, I say we swing on him. He’s easily the third best corner in the class, the only concern is some medical issues. If we go for it and he ends up being ok health-wise, it’s a home run.
If he’s not around, this gets tough. We could go Samuel, but I think he projects more as a slot corner and we really need an outside guy. We could do it and try to work him in outside. Other options I like are Melifonwu, Adebo, or Campbell.
I am not as high on Newsome as most.
Would be thrilled with Kelvin Joseph in the second.

Position Group 3: WR
There’s a lot of belief we will be looking for a WR2 to pair with Mike. Most Mock’s I’ve seen have us looking at guys like Elijah Moore, Kadarius Toney, Rondale Moore, and Tutu Atwell. Smaller more explosive guys. And while those guys are good prospects (I especially like Toney) I don’t think that’s the move because I think we’re trying to get Deonte Harris more involved in that exact role.
If we go receiver, I think it needs to be a big guy who wins jump balls down the boundary. Mike will be our guy who wins short / medium with route running, Harris is the explosive guy, and a draftee is the jump ball guy. This means either Terrace Marshall or Rashod Bateman.

Position group 4: OL
I’ve heard rumors of going o-line again, specifically tackle. It sounds crazy on the surface because we have one of the elite NFL OT pairs, but there is some logic when you think deeper. We can’t afford to pay them both. So the logic is that we extend Ram and move on from T-Stead once his contract is up. If this is the plan, finding his replacement now is not the worst idea.
At 28, Tevin Jenkins is the only OT I’m really down with. If not Jenkins, I’d like to wait to round 2 and hope one of Sam Cosmi or Stone Forsythe is still around.

Position group 5: DL
DT depth is a place to look. Baramore is the only guy I realistically see us looking into in the first. I would be happy taking Marvin Wilson in the third or fourth.
Edge rusher could be the move. Davenport is bad, Hendrickson is gone, looking for somebody to pair with Cam isn’t the worst decision.
If this is the case, I personally would prefer to go for someone who will bring instant production. Jaelan Phillips is the only guy that fits that bill. I’d rather not go with another high-upside project a la Marcus Davenport, but if that is what we want to do, Kwity Paye is the best option, although he’ll likely be off the board. Jason Oweh would be the best next option.
I like Azeez Ojulari a lot as one of these high upside project type of players, but I think he best fits as a 3-4 OLB, meaning he isn’t a great fit in new orleans.

Position Group 5: Safety
I think we like the safeties we have, but adding another guy to take some of Jenkins’ snaps wouldn't be the worst thing we’ve ever done. Moehrig is the only guy worth a first round pick, but will likely be off the round. Jevon Holland or Jemar Johnson are guys I wouldn’t mind taking in the second. If we can get Ar’Darius Washington in the third I will be so thrilled. He’s my favorite safety in the class, teams are just scared away because he’s so tiny.