By Ross Jackson
This week’s New Orleans Saints mock draft takes a full seven-round simulation, focusing on providing new head coach Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley with key playmakers.
With no trades included, the approach is meant to introduce you to potential impactful pieces that could be added at each pick on both sides of the ball. Each selection will feature an alternative prospect from the opposite side of the ball, giving a well-rounded look at how the Saints could address their roster needs.
The alternatives are not meant to represent a cohesive mock draft.
This is a mock that’s less about predicting what will happen and instead is focused on exploring what could take place. It is also a further display that this year’s NFL Draft is a true choose-your-own-adventure game, with several paths towards a successful and productive class.
Round 1, Pick 9 – Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
Like it or not, the first-round running back has returned. Jeanty and Moore’s Boise State connection won’t really force anyone’s hand here, but it definitely doesn’t hurt either considering how much Broncos football Moore takes in throughout the year. Jeanty would provide him and the team a workhorse back that could be a true game-breaking presence for the team, a type of player they have not consistently had for a while.
Alternative: Georgia OLB Jalon Walker
Round 2, Pick 40 – Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
Staley’s system will require active and athletic linebackers in the middle. Ones that can not only move well side-to-side, but can be explosive enough to crash down and eat up run lanes in a complicated run fit system. Campbell could fit that role. But his versatility as a coverage backer and pass rusher could make him an interesting addition as an outside linebacker, as well. 3-4 defenses tend to benefit from an outside linebacker that can be a threat to either drop back in coverage or rush the passer while the one on the opposite side might be a bit more of a pass rush focus. Campbell has the versatility and play style to match Staley’s scheme from multiple alignments.
Alternative: TCU WR Jack Bech
Round 3, Pick 71 – Arizona OL Jonah Savaiinaea
The 335 pound big man has played both tackle positions and has played a ton on the interior, as well. At 6-foot-3, he is more likely to slot in on the interior in the pros. That is likely to dampen some of the first-round buzz he once received. But as Pro Football Focus’s No. 77 prospect and 33rd Team’s No. 64 player, this range feels appropriate for him. The Saints would get a versatile piece for their offensive line that could slot in from multiple positions.
Alternative: SMU DL Elijah Roberts
Round 3, Pick 93 – Kentucky DT Deone Walker
Giving Staley a long-term big-bodied nose tackle this offseason may be tough to do in free agency. But in the draft, there are numerous options. At 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds, Walker is a tough one to miss. He’s a constant in mocks around this area and could join a 2025 rotation of last year’s draft pick Khristian Boyd and potentially John Ridgeway III at the 0-tech or 1-tech spot.
Alternative: Williams & Mary OL Charles Grant
Round 4, Pick 110 – Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker
While Campbell is the hybrid, Walker is the speed rusher causing havoc off the edge. With 10.5 sacks and 37 hurries in 2024, the 6-foot-2 and 260 pounder is an absolute demolition man on the field. Once far too small to be considered for the Saints’ defensive scheme, if the team changes things up, he could be a solid fit as a standup, athletic pass rusher off the edge.
Alternative: UCF RB R.J. Harvey
Round 4, Pick 129 – Illinois WR Pat Bryant
A big-bodied pass-catcher with solid movement skills, the 6-foot-2 wide receiver is a career boundary threat with good box-out abilities. He’s also got very reliable hands, with just one single drop in 2024 on 78 targets. He also reeled in 69.2% of his contested catches, per Pro Football Focus.
Alternative: LSU CB Zy Alexander
Round 5, Pick 183: Syracuse TE Oronde Gadsden II
Investing in this year’s tight end class seems like something the Saints should be heavily considering, thanks to all of the talent the position has to offer. The 6-foot-5 pass-catcher represents another solid hands player (just three drops on 103 targets), but is a true all-around tight end. His blocking has been one of the highlights of his game, as is typically the case at the position with Syracuse.
Alternative: Minnesota LB Cody Lindenberg
Round 7, Pick 251: South Carolina State LB Aaron Smith
Staley isn’t the only one that benefits from a developmental piece like Smith, so does special teams coordinator Phil Galiano. Smith, a 6-foot, 220 pound linebacker is likely too undersized to be a day one starter on defense. But as a sound tackler and good downhill player with solid athleticism, he would make an immediate core special teamer. He could then continue to develop with a set of promising skills, while contributing to another phase of the game.
Alternative: Montana OL Marcus Wehr
Round 7, Pick 255: UCF CB Mac McWilliams
First of all, what a great name. Secondly, what great numbers. McWilliams allowed just 56.4% of his targets to be completed in 2024. He is also scheme versatile, finding success both in man and in zone coverage. The 5-foot-10, 185 pound cornerback is another benefactor of a changing vision in New Orleans. Staley once drafted 5-foot-10, 180 pound cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Taking a player of similar size in the seventh round hardly seems like a stretch. With a 70.1 passer rating allowed when targeted, McWilliams is very much worth a roll of the dice if still on the board late.
Alternative: UCLA TE Moliki Matavao
