2021 NFL Mock Draft: Saints trade into the top 10.

One of my favorite things about the way the New Orleans Saints draft is that they are not afraid to be interesting in the use of draft picks. Whether it be picks for the current year or future picks, they are never afraid to throw them around. In this mock, I used the same mindset and moved into the top 10 to try and solve a problem that the Saints have been faced with. This one is really fun, so let’s just get into it.

*This was all done using Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator*

1.09 - QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State University

Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

New Orleans Saints Receive: 1.09, 6.193

Denver Broncos Receive: 1.28, 3.98, 2022 NO 1st, 2022 NO 2nd

With Drew Brees most likely done in New Orleans. The team is left with a dilemma. Do they ride with Taysom Hill? Do they give Jameis Winston a contract? Do they have enough money to give Jameis more than other competitors? Here we look at a scenario where they offer up a lot of draft capital to maybe find their answer. It’s a lot to give up, however if Lance pans out it would be well worth it. Lance is a great athlete with a great arm. He is however very raw. The Saints would have to maybe ride with Taysom or ideally sign a cheap bridge QB such as Alex Smith or Tyrod Taylor for a year. There’s a lot to like about Lance, but he still needs to develop. I would like to see his consistency with accuracy improve greatly. He offers the one thing I really want to see Sean Payton get a chance to work with, a mobile QB. I’m not counting Taysom, for obvious reasons.

2.60 - WR Elijah Moore, University of Mississippi

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If I take one thing away from the current meetings that the Saints have had, it’s that they are looking for a wide receiver that doesn’t fit their usual prototype. This is that. 5 foot 9, 185 pounds, makes him about the exact opposite of their normal drafted wide receiver. This is about as close as they can get to the Brandin Cooks pick. Elijah Moore is a smaller receiver who has big play ability on every snap. He works a lot in the slot, but I believe he can develop into more than that in the NFL. Even if he can’t, he is damn good in the slot.

3.105 LB Tony Fields II, West Virginia/Arizona

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Tony Fields is the do-it-all kind of linebacker that I think the Saints are looking for. He’s played in six different defensive systems in college and lined up about anywhere you could ask a linebacker to line up. His football IQ is about as high as it can be for a college prospect. Add his intelligence to his athleticism and the potential is sky high. He can learn from Demario Davis and Kwon Alexander to hopefully become a high level player in the future. His coverage is good, but has room to improve. Most of his limitations, however, will come with size. That is something that can be overcome with his aggressiveness and tackling ability.

5.146 - OG David Moore, Grambling State

Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

New Orleans Saints Receive: 5.146, 7.227

Jacksonville Jaguars Receive: 4.133

David Moore was one of the most impressive players from Senior Bowl week for me. He was driving high level defenders into the ground consistently. He is aggressive and strong, but does not sacrifice athleticism at all. I like his run blocking, but will mainly need to progress in his pass blocking ability. Give him the rest of Peat’s contract and he will be ready to be a great starter in the NFL.

6.193 - CB Tre Brown, Oklahoma

Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

A lot of people complain that corners these days aren’t aggressive enough. That could not be further from the truth with Tre Brown. Über aggressive whether it be attacking the ball, tackling, or run defense. 4 interceptions may not seem like a big sign of a ball hawk, but look at his 31 pass deflections and you will see that Brown gets the job done. Oklahoma doesn’t have him play a lot of zone, but he can develop and play plenty of special teams while doing so.

7.227 - LB Grant Stuard - Houston

Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

Watching Grant Stuard play just screams 5-time Pro Bowl special teamer. He is fun and reckless on every snap. I had a blast watching him in person in Mobile. He can contribute when asked to play linebacker, but I don’t see it happening much. At least not early on. Day 3 is special teams day in New Orleans, and it would be hard to find a better pick to fill that role.

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