Here it is, the night before the 2014 NFL Draft. The Saints and the rest of the league have done all they could to find the players they feel will get them closer to a Super Bowl. If you're like me, a draft nerd, your head is swimming from the doses of speculation provided by the Kipers, McShays, and Mayocks of the world providing us with their mock drafts, prospect lists, and scouting reports.
Well I'm going to do a little speculating of my own. My first(and only) Saints 2014 mock draft:
Round 1. Pick #27: Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG UCLA. 6'4" 307. Su'a-Filo is the #27 prospect on many draft boards, the Saints need help on the interior OL. Saints fans screamed and prayed for Drew Brees' life as he was battered more times than ever as a Saint in 2013. Help is on the way as more bulk needed in the middle of an aging Saints offensive line. Need filled, best player available.
Round 2. Pick# 53: Donte Moncrief, WR Ole Miss 6'2" 220 4.34. Big, strong, fast and great hands. I love this kid. Saints are getting old at that position and efforts to reload recently have been hit and miss. Kenny Stills is a play maker while Nick Toon has been a flop.
Round 3. Pick #91: Pierre Desir, CB Lindenwood 6'1" 200 4.5. Saints are giddy that Desir is still there as they passed on Phillip Gaines in round 2. Tall corner with good ball skills makes up for lack of elite speed.
Round 4. Pick #126: Jarick McKinnon, RB Georgia Southern 5'9" 210 4.37. Saints pass on Lache Seastrunk for McKinnon's similar measurables to Darren Sproles and his ability to run between the tackles as well as use his speed to get to the edge. McKinnon can also be used in the passing game much like Sproles with Sean Payton creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
Round 5. Pick #167: Wesley Johnson, OT/C Vanderbilt 6'5" 300. The Saints find their center of the future with the athletic Johnson. A four year starter, he played left tackle for the Commodores, yet projects as a center in the NFL. He was considered the conference's most versatile O-lineman, earning him 2nd team all SEC honors. Johnson was flagged for only 2 holding penalties in four years and allowed just 7.5 sacks in 1281 pass plays. The book says centers must posses intelligence and quick learning ability. Johnson scored a 36 on his ACT and earned a 3.54 GPA at Vandy. He will be the steal of the draft.
Round 5. Pick #169: Larry Webster, TE, Bloomsburg. 6'5" 250 4.58. The four year starter on the Bloomsburg basketball team set the school record for blocked shots. Webster played one season at DE but many NFL scouts feel he projects as a TE. He's tall with a frame that can build more muscle, long arms and quick in and out of cuts with flexible ankles. Sound familiar? Admittedly, this is a slight reach and Webster will need time to develop. However, he is on a number of teams' radar, so he will be drafted. Why not here? Imagine the possibilities of having two Jimmy Grahams!
Round 6. Pick #202: Jonathon Dowling, FS, Western Kentucky 6'3" 190 4.5. I know, I know, another safety! This pick is purely best player available, With Dowling's range and ball skills, the safety loving Rob Ryan will have another toy in his arsenal. Also with the Kenny Vacarro coming off a broken ankle, this will supply some insurance and depth.
These are my picks and I'm sticking to them, Good luck and enjoy the draft, Saints fans!
