APC Community Mock Draft - The Saints are on the clock at 28

The Ravens used another first round pick on a WR, 2 years after drafting Marquise Brown at pick 25. In Bateman, the Ravens get a receiver who can line up anywhere on the field. He can beat you in multiple ways and will provide Lamar Jackson another dangerous deep threat along with Sammy Watkins and Brown. After running a 4.39 40 at his pro day, Bateman silenced any concerns about his speed. Bateman could be gone before 27, but if the Ravens get him, they’ll be ecstatic about their receiving corps for the first time in a few years.

The Saints have had quite a rollercoaster of an offseason. They came into the offseason nearly $100 million over the cap and have since cleared $111 million with a combination of cuts, restructures, and fake contract extensions scheduled to automatically void (looking at you, Taysom Hill). The biggest move is, of course, the retirement of Drew Brees. For the first time in 15 years, the Saints are without a clear option at QB. However, they seem content with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill battling for the starting job. Another departure that was expected but leaves a hole is Trey Hendrickson. He signed a large deal with the Bengals, meaning the Saints need more production out of Marcus Davenport in the final year of his rookie deal. But outside of Cam Jordan, New Orleans is filled with a lot of question marks at the position. An edge rusher could be the pick here. Emmanuel Sanders also left in free agency, meaning the Saints could continue trying to find the answer at WR2 behind Michael Thomas. Kadarius Toney could provide an explosive yards after the catch weapon to help out the new starter at QB. Last but not least, CB may be the biggest need of all for New Orleans. There is no clear starter across from Marshon Lattimore. This could lead the Saints to reach for Eric Stokes here, making him the 6th CB off the board so far. Let’s check out the previous picks before we look at the Saints’ options further.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
3. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
4. Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
6. Miami Dolphins - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
7. Detroit Lions - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
8. Carolina Panthers - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
9. Denver Broncos - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
10. Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
11. New York Giants - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
12. Philadelphia Eagles - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
14. Minnesota Vikings - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
15. New England Patriots - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
16. Arizona Cardinals - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
18. Miami Dolphins - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
19. Washington Football Team - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
20. Chicago Bears - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
21. Indianapolis Colts - Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
22. Tennessee Titans - Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
23. New York Jets - Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
26. Cleveland Browns - Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
27. Baltimore Ravens - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

The Saints are looking to retool and secure a 5th straight NFC South title.

Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State

Of all the edge rushers in this draft, Oweh may be the most athletic. While he didn’t record a sack in 2020, Oweh finished with 6.5 tackles for loss and was voted first-team All-Big Ten. The tools are not all there yet, but Oweh only played 20 games in college and didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. At 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, he has the strength and speed to be a situational rusher from day 1. Oweh does not have many pass rush moves in his arsenal and will need to develop counters to what he’ll see in the league. He may be too raw to make a real, every-down impact in his first season, but teams will be salivating over the possibilities down the line.

Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

Could six corners go in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft? If so, Stokes could be number six. Blessed with good size and elite speed (4.29 in the 40), Stokes broke into the starting lineup late in his redshirt freshman year and never looked back. As a junior in 2020, Stokes grabbed four interceptions, taking two of them back for touchdowns, and broke up another four passes. He also played on special teams early, blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown as a freshman. Stokes isn’t just a burner, either, as he shows great explosiveness and ball skills.

Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

A player without a position early in his career, Toney was a gadget player who had as many carries as receptions. But as a senior, he blossomed into a big-play slot receiver, combining with tight end Kyle Pitts to be the beneficiary of a great season from quarterback Kyle Trask. Toney has a prototypical slot build, at a shade under 6 feet and around 190 pounds, but he has tremendous explosive ability as well as talent to pick up yards after the catch. Think of Toney as a lighter but more explosive Deebo Samuel.

With the 28th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select...

Will the Saints be able to successfully retool around Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill? Or will they go for a developmental piece for the future in round 1? Be sure to vote here and on Twitter @acmepackingco and check back for the results tomorrow.

We’re almost to the end of our mock draft and we’re finally to pick 29! The Packers are on the clock. Tomorrow we’ll be changing it up in honor of the most important pick in the 1st round. Just one team! That’s right, we’ll be using the whole weekend to let you vote on and discuss who the Packers will pick at 29. On Monday, we’ll be resuming the mock as usual for the final 3 picks. So check here tomorrow at 11 AM EST to see the Packers’ options and how they may fit with the green and gold.