New Orleans Saints 7-Round Mock Draft (NFL Draft Bible)

NFL Draft Bible's Jack Despeaux shares his seven-round mock draft of the New Orleans Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Author:
Jack Despeaux
Publish date:
Apr 17, 2021 8:18 AM EDT

NFL Draft Bible's Jack Despeaux shares his seven-round mock draft of the New Orleans Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Here is the re-print of Jack Despeaux's Saints Mock Draft:

NFL Draft Bible: New Orleans Saints 7-Round Mock Draft

General managers should study the New Orleans Saints to see how they managed to get under the salary cap while keeping their most talented players on the roster. That is, of course, their most talented players on the roster except for newly retired quarterback Drew Brees.

The Saints need a quarterback again: Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston aren’t the long-term answer.

With eight picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Saints could take some swings to get their quarterback. Unless they perform a massive trade-up from pick 28, none of these potential quarterbacks are going to be locks to be the franchise quarterback.

The Saints have a rapidly closing Super Bowl window. Will they be able to make the most of it with these draft picks?

Davis Mills - #1 Draft Pick -New Orleans Saints — Nov 30, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Davis Mills (15) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1, Pick 28: Davis Mills, Quarterback, Stanford

Davis Mills could be the best-kept secret of this year’s draft. A toolsy quarterback who had a very strong pro day, Mills may surprise people with how early he is picked.

When a team needs their quarterback, they may not be willing to wait to see if he’s still there. Mills would be in a great position to sit behind Hill and Winston and then take the reins when he becomes ready. It’s best to get toolsy quarterbacks early and let them develop, so the Saints aren’t taking any chances here and are getting their guy early.

Davis Mills - Quarterback Stanford Cardinals 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Kelvin Joseph - CB - Kentucky — Nov 21, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Kelvin Joseph (1) makes an interception in the end zone against Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via USA TODAY Sports

Round 2, Pick 60: Kelvin Joseph, Cornerback, Kentucky

Another late-riser in this draft class, Joseph is in that deep second tier of cornerback prospects in this draft. The Saints let cornerback Janoris Jenkins walk in free agency, and with Marshon Lattimore on his fifth-year option of his rookie contract, the cornerback room is slowly thinning out. Extending Lattimore should be a massive priority, so acquiring good cheap cornerbacks to allow for a Lattimore extension is a necessity. Joseph is great value at pick 60 and patches an immediate need for the Saints.

Pete Werner - LB - OSU — Jan. 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) runs through Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Pete Werner (20) during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, Pick 99: Pete Werner, Linebacker, Ohio State

Werner was part of Ohio State’s impressive linebacking corps this year and is a reliable defender to plug into this Saints defense. Werner played the WILL linebacker for the Buckeyes and could settle into a similar role with the Saints. Werner has good eyes and can be relied upon in coverage, so Werner could find himself in the nickel package as well.

Round 4, Pick 134: Rashad Weaver, Defensive End, Pittsburgh

With Trey Hendrickson signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Saints suddenly have a hole along their defensive line. With an aging Jordan Cameron on the other side of the defensive line, adding a young pass-rusher like Rashad Weaver will be important for the long-term health of this defense.

Weaver in the fourth round would be an excellent start to the third day of the draft and would help bolster the Saints’ defense.

Scouting Lenz: Rashad Weaver, Defensive End, Pittsburgh - The NFL Draft Bible on Sports Illustrated: The Leading Authority on the NFL Draft

Ambry Thomas - CB - Michigan — Michigan defensive back Ambry Thomas (1) celebrates his interception against Michigan State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. 11162019 Ummsu 2ndhalf 20

Round 6, Pick 219: Ambry Thomas, Cornerback, Michigan

Nearly 100 picks later, the Saints add more depth to their cornerback room by taking the speedy Thomas. A little undersized, Thomas has feisty coverage skills and showed his own in the red zone at the Senior Bowl. He struggles with bigger, more physical receivers, and could be relegated to slot duties in the NFL.

Alaric Jackson - OT - Iowa — © Bryon Houlgrave/The Register, Des Moines Register via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Round 7, Pick 230: Alaric Jackson, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

Measuring in at 6’5” and 318 lbs. at the Senior Bowl, Jackson seems to have ideal size for an NFL offensive tackle. He may also have a future on the interior of the offensive line in a swing-lineman role. Here’s what Cory Ezring (@CoryEzring) said of Jackson’s Senior Bowl performance:

...Alaric Jackson of Iowa is an intriguing offensive lineman who has been discussed as a possible guard/tackle swing player…Jackson was inaccurate with his initial punches which forced him into a recovery position early in the snap. What’s more, he consistently played with a high pad level and allowed contact to his frame. Jackson also exhibited a poor anchor early in the week...the Iowa product improved from day one to day two and further progressed from day two to day three. Still, the senior’s impressive flashes were separated by stretches of underwhelming play...Alaric Jackson is a probable draft selection come April who could develop into a reserve swing lineman.

Riley Cole - LB - South Alabama — Jan 28, 2021; American offensive lineman David Moore of Grambling State (60) drills against American linebacker Riley Cole of South Alabama (44) during American practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, USA; Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7, Pick 257: Riley Cole, Linebacker, South Alabama

Despite drafting Pete Werner in the third round, the Saints choose to add another linebacker late in the draft. The Saints have a tendency to draft a linebacker in all but one of their last four drafts, and with a more glaring need at linebacker this year they choose to double-dip at the position. Picking Cole will add depth to their linebacking corps and be able to contribute on special teams early.

The Saints leave this draft with their franchise quarterback and a bolstered defense. Where the Saints may now be thin because of their cap situation this year, they now have youth, talent, and most importantly, cheap contracts to allow for their Super Bowl window to remain open.