Saints Draft Position after Week 17

Once again, the New Orleans Saints lose and somehow stay at pick 10 in the draft. At this point in the season, there may not be a position on the roster that the Saints front office can feel totally comfortable about. When in this position, a team needs as many young and talented players as possible, and trading back in the NFL Draft is a way to do that.

The Prospects

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If the Saints trade back, there are many options in the middle of the first round. One prospect who has been a massive riser throughout the college football season is ASU RB Cam Skattebo. With a running back class led by Ashton Jeanty, it is hard for other RB prospects to look nearly as good as the Heisman candidate, but Skattebo has somehow done that. The 5-foot-11 senior exploded onto the scene this season, taking college football by storm. He will not be the most athletic or fastest running back prospect in the class, but Skattebo plays with a mean streak that knocks defenders out of the way like a bowling ball. His ability to break tackles is top-tier, and even when met with immediate contact, Skattebo can push the pile and fight for more yards. Even when effective in the run, Skattebo is a real pass-catching threat.

The Saints have a lot of talent in their current running back room. The team should feel comfortable with Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller as RB1 and RB2. However, with Kamara getting up in years and Miller’s inability to avoid injury, running back should be a need going into the draft. Skattebo would add something the Saints have needed in recent years. Kamara and Miller are very similar players, and the hope is that Miller will replace Kamara when the time comes. While they are both elusive and speedy running backs, Skattebo is a tough runner who thrives against contact. He can convert on short-yardage plays or in the redzone, like Taysom Hill, and Skattebo’s ability to push a pile and fight for more yards is exactly what the Saints need.

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Sticking with offense, Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons could be a great trade-back option in the first round. If you have been watching the College Football Playoffs, Josh Simmons is probably not a player mentioned much, and it is not because of his play. Simmons has been out with a knee injury since October. If this injury had not occurred, he would have been the number one tackle in the class, and getting him later in the first would be a steal. Simmons has impressive movement skills at tackle, and in the run game, he is a great lead blocker. He is very strong, and when in that lead-blocking role, he is great at pushing defenders out of the way. In pass protection, Simmons is excellent at facing skilled pass rushers, and although dealing with speed rushers is more of a weakness, he has shown the ability to hold his own no matter what. Also, Simmons has played both right and left tackle, so whoever drafts him could play him on either side.

The offensive line should be a focus for the Saints in the draft, and Josh Simmons would be an important addition to this offense. Simmons brings the run blocking and athleticism that the Saints value in offensive linemen. His versatility in playing on both sides of the offensive line is also very important, with Taliese Fuaga having a great year on the left. Many of the top tackles in this year’s draft have only played on the left side or may be moved to guard in the NFL. Simmons is built like a prototypical starting NFL tackle, and although he still needs development, putting him in a zone-run scheme could be the best-case scenario. The injury will be a worry, and Simmons will need to prove this will not affect his athleticism or play at tackle, but if he can, Simmons will be drafted in the top 15.

The highest the New Orleans Saints can rise in the draft after Week 18 is pick 8, and for next week’s draft position piece, I will be doing my first Mock draft of the Saints offseason.