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The New Orleans Saints entered Day 2 of the NFL draft with three selections in rounds two and three. They started off their evening in the second round, with pick No. 42 overall, by selecting a collegiate turnover magnet at safety with Utah's Marcus Williams. The Saints then pulled off a trade to net an early 3rd round pick, 67th overall, and used it to nab dynamic Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara. With the 76th pick later in the 3rd, New Orleans went defensive again by picking an athletic linebacker from Florida, Alex Anzalone. At pick 103, their last of the evening, the Saints finally drafted the position that so many were expecting them to address the day before, by adding a nonstop motor at defensive end with Trey Hendrickson of Florida Atlantic.
New Orleans enters the draft's final day, rounds 4-7, with only one selection after dealing their 7th round pick (along with a 2nd round in 2018) as trade for the extra third rounder. The Saints possess the 196th overall selection, which is in the 6th round. If history is any indication, New Orleans will likely trade their way into an extra pick or two. Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis have often found gems in their late round selections.
Among the best available players still available, I identified three players on each side of the ball that I think would be great fits in a Saints uniform, along with some interesting names still available.
Stacey Coley, WR, Miami (Fla)
Coley is an instant threat the moment the football is near him. Good hands, and a weapon from either the slot or the outside from short, intermediate, and deep routes.
Nate Peterman, QB, Pitt
Extremely competitive quarterback with good accuracy and excellent anticipation. Viewed as a potential starter by numerous scouts. His draft profile echoes the same.
Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
An athletic match-up nightmare in the passing game for defenses. Basically a bulked up wide out that would remind some Saints fans of a former basketball player at this position.
Some other notable names remaining on offense: Noah Brown (WR, Ohio St.), Artavis Scott (WR, Clemson), Jordan Leggett (TE, Clemson), Jake Butt (TE, Michigan), Elijah McGuire (RB, Louisiana-Lafayette), Wayne Gallman (RB, Clemson)
Lorenzo Jerome, S, St. Francis (Pa)
Very instinctive safety that will make a quarterback pay for testing him downfield. Small college player with big potential. I previously profiled him.
Ejuan Price, LB, Pitt
Undersized but productive sack artist for a lousy Pittsburgh defense. Comes at the quarterback like a missile from the edge
Bryan Cox Jr. DE, (Florida)
Very strong defender with underrated athletic ability. Plays with high motor and higher intensity, just like his father. Check out his draft profile.
Overall, the Saints may only have the lone 6th Round pick for today, but they’ve been able to find players like Jahri Evans, Zach Strief, and Marques Colston in the late rounds. Of course, once the draft is over, the real fun starts with undrafted rookie free agents.