New Orleans Saints 5-Round Mock Draft: Florida State Edge Rusher Jared Verse Is A Perfect Fit
Mock drafts are all about scenarios as opposed to accuracy and predictions at this point in the year. The scenarios available to the New Orleans Saints right now are pretty limited. The team desperately needs to recharge in the trenches and the talent of this year's draft provide them ample opportunity to do so.
Starting in the first round where the Saints have drafted an offensive or defensive lineman in 8 of the last 9 drafts. The one year they did not was simply because they had no first-round selection. They then still used their top selection, a second-round pick, on offensive lineman Erik McCoy. The Saints love the trenches and expecting them to change course in the 2024 NFL draft, especially with a player like Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse currently expected to be a mid-round draft pick.
Round 1, Pick 14 - Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) during warm ups against the Louisville Cardinals.
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) during warm ups against the Louisville Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound edge rusher is a supreme talent on the defensive line. He may be on the smaller side of the Saints' prototype, but not too far off by any stretch. In 2011, New Orleans selected the 6-foot-4, 287-pound Cal defensive end Cameron Jordan in the first. The team also selected Florida Atlantic lineman Trey Hendrikson in the third round of the 2017 draft. He tipped the charts at 6-foot-4 and 266 pounds.
Verse can add weight to his frame to check another of the team's boxes. But 18 sacks in two years along with 29.5 tackles for a loss are hard numbers to ignore. As is his 21.8% pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus, which ranks him No. 6 among all college defensive ends that rushed the passer at least 250 times in 2023.
One big thing that would benefit Verse from showing improvement towards would be his missed tackles. PFF has him notched with 21 over the last two seasons with a career missed tackle percentage of 23.4% including his two seasons with Albany before transferring to Florida State. There is no doubt though that Verse is a disruptive and impactful edge rusher that checks the Saints' prototype boxes. A perfect fit for New Orleans assuming it does not address its defensive line needs enough in free agency.
Round 2, Pick 45 - South Carolina WR Xavier Legette
South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) celebrates a touchdown reception
Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) celebrates a touchdown reception against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports Kentucky
The Saints currently only have three wide receivers that are set to return in 2024. 2022 first-round pick Chris Olave, 2023 sixth-round selection A.T. Perry and All-Pro player Rashid Shaheed. Shaheed is an exclusive rights free agent, so even though his contract is technically expiring, the two do not even have to talk to one another to get a deal done for him to return in 2024. Though agreeing to terms on a two or three-year deal would be ideal.
Enter Legette. At 6-foot-4, 220-plus pounds, he is a massive target to add to the mix. It seems unlikely, especially after recent social media airings, that wideout Michael Thomas will be back in New Orleans next season. Therefore adding another big, physical presence can go a long way. Of course, Perry helps in this area, making 66.7% of his contested catches his rookie year. But having another option to a roster with a currently limited depth chart is not a bad choice.
Round 5, Pick 149- Missouri OL Javon Foster
Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Javon Foster (76) on the line against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Nov 25, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Javon Foster (76) on the line against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Foster is another perfect embodiment of the Saints' prototype at the position. At 6-foot-5 and 319 pounds, he hits the size boxes well. Because of his height, he could be a good option to kick inside as well. But with the Missouri Tigers, Foster held down the left tackle spot for at least 890 snaps in the last three seasons.
Over that span, he allowed just 7 total sacks with only 1 being surrendered in 2023. The best part of Foster's game however is his athleticism. Especially as a zone run blocker. He gets out in space or into the second level in a flash and when he does, he can be dominant carrying that momentum against smaller bodies. This is a good fit for New Orleans as it searches for its next offensive coordinator. Many of their candidates for the role would bring some wide zone concepts with them. That would be an excellent fit for an athletic lineman like Foster.
Round 5, Pick 167 (estimated comp pick) - Troy RB Kimani Vidal
Troy Trojans running back Kimani Vidal (28) carries the ball against the Army Black Knights.
Oct 14, 2023; West Point, New York, USA; Troy Trojans running back Kimani Vidal (28) carries the ball against the Army Black Knights during the second half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Note: This compensatory selection could potentially convey as a fourth-round pick instead. OverTheCap.com did an estimation of potential comp picks this season.
Vidal is an explosive playmaker from the backfield and exactly the type of x-factor weapon the Saints could use at running back. The 5-foot-8, 218-pound rusher piled on 4,010 career rushing yards at Troy. Yes, he is a smaller and compact back but his elusiveness and ability with the ball in his hands is remarkable.
The Saints are set to return veteran running back Alvin Kamara and second-year rusher Kendre Miller. The future between the Saints and back Jamaal Williams remains to be seen after a 2023 season that ended in just one, highly controversial, touchdown run. With Williams effectively relegated to a blocking role in 2023, looking for greener pastures would not be an illogical move for the former rushing touchdown crown-holder. With some uncertainty at the position, investing in more young talent here would make sense.
Round 5, Pick 169 (estimated comp pick) - Auburn DT Marcus Harris
Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Marcus Harris (50) breaks through the line during Spring Practice.
Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Marcus Harris (50) breaks through the line during the A-Day spring practice at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
If you like big, disruptive interior defensive lineman that may not be household draft names just yet, Harris is your guy. With 7 sacks in 2023, the 6-foot-3 and 295-pound big man is a force in the middle. He will be attending this week's Reese's Senior Bowl and we are excited to get a closer look at him here at Saints News Network.
His value as a run defender is clear when watching the tape as well. From an analytics standpoint, his 10.2% run stop percentage ranks No. 8 among all interior defenders with at least 200 run defense snaps, per PFF. In watching him play, it is also easy to see not only the plays he makes, but the ones he creates for others or derails by clogging up the middle. Harris could be one of those Day 3 selections that makes scouting departments look genius.
Round 5, Pick 174 (estimated comp pick) - Florida State TE Jaheim Bell
Florida State Seminoles tight end Jaheim Bell (6) celebrates a first down against the Duke Blue Devils.
Oct 21, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles tight end Jaheim Bell (6) celebrates a first down against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Bell was not originally the target here. As this round ticked down, eyes were on Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott. A big-bodied pass-catcher that could help to replace the red zone void left with the expected departure of veteran tight end Jimmy Graham. But make no mistake about it, Bell is remarkably talented as well, albeit in a very different way.
The 6-foot-3 and 239-pound tight end may be a little undersized (consider our second-round selection Legette who was 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds) but wha the lacks in size he makes up in athleticism. His frame and playstyle are akin to that of Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan. He can be a threat with the ball in his hands and could be an intriguing puzzle piece to perhaps move around the offense.
Bell would be a unique piece that could have an interesting fit with a young, innovative offensive coordinator that is not afraid to work with a little bit of positionlessness.
