The New Orleans Saints are poised to usher in a new era, an organization that has seen Drew Brees as his starting quarterback for the past 15 seasons. Luckily for the Saints, they’ve prepared for a post-Brees world as coach Sean Payton will see Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill fight for quarterback this summer.
The Saints pick at the end of the first round, so getting one of the top five quarterbacks in the draft is irrelevant at the moment. New Orleans believe they can win with Hill or Winston as a starting quarterback, leaving the Saints to fill more holes on an already talented roster. Whether the Saints will win their fifth straight NFC South title is open, but New Orleans should be back in the mix for a playoff berth.
New Orleans have not picked a competent player in the first round since the selection of wide receiver Brandin Cooks in 2014. Will this be the year New Orleans end the streak, especially since the Saints can use all possible offensive weapons to help their new strategist?
Below is our Seven Turns Simulation Project for Saints, which we will use all eight choices (no trade):
1 (28) | Jayson Oweh (EDGE) | Penn State |
2 (60) | Asante Samuel Jr. (CB) | Florida State |
3 (98) | Long Hunter (TE) | Boston college |
3 (105) | Ar’Darius Washington (S) | TCU |
4 (133) | Dazz Newsome (WR) | North Carolina |
6 (218) | Brenden Jaimes (OT) | Nebraska |
7 (229) | Garret Wallow (LB) | TCU |
7 (255) | Jaret Patterson (RB) | Buffalo |
Here’s a breakdown of each of the selections:
Jayson Oweh (n ° 28)
The Saints have a tough choice here in the what-if draft simulator with Oweh and cornerback Caleb Farley on the board. Oweh’s potential is far too great for New Orleans to pass up here. Oweh is an athletic freak for the job, and a perfect candidate to line up on the opposite end of Cameron Jordan (will have to beat Marcus Davenport first).
Don’t worry about his numbers in college last year (finished with zero sacks), Oweh can generate enough bursts to make life miserable for a quarterback in his rookie year. The Saints get an immediate contributor on defense.
Asante Samuel Jr. (# 60)
The Saints waste no time finding a Week 1 starting cornerback to line up alongside Marshon Lattimore, Blessed Samuel slipped to No.60. Samuel is making life difficult for opposing receivers with his play physical, which can also result in unnecessary penalties.
Samuel’s footwork is good enough to help secondary Saints, who has a defensive assistant in assistant Kris Richard. Samuel will fill an immediate need at the cornerback.
Hunter Long (# 98)
Long is a tight end that catches the pass that can follow the ball and become a viable target in the red zone. The Saints can pair him up with Nick Vannett in Staff “12” and give Hill or Winston more options below. Long is not the best run blocker, which he will have to work on at the next level.
Ar’Darius Washington (# 105)
The Saints get more safety depth – and more high school help – with the Washington selection, who can read the quarterback well and is cerebral in understanding covers. His size is concerning, but Washington can help a security unit that already has Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Williams as starters.
At worst, Washington will be a precious safeguard.
Dazz Newsome (# 133)
Newsome immediately competes with Deonte Harris for punt returner duties as his speed gives special teams a boost. Whether Newsome will become more than just catch and run remains to be seen, but it should compete for clichés among the Saints Wideouts.
Newsome has the potential to be a great slot machine receiver.
Brenden Jaimes (# 218)
Jaimes can play both tackling positions and can move inside to guard, providing valuable depth on an already strong offensive line. While Jaimes is probably best suited for guard at the pros, the Saints have time to figure this out in his first year.
Garret Wallow (No. 229)
The Saints take a leaflet on Wallow in the seventh round because he can hunt for football and provide depth as an inside linebacker. Wallow needs work on his tackle, but he can find a role in that defense as a reliable backup.
Jaret Patterson (# 255)
The Saints find excellent value in Patterson, who can rival Latavius Murray for carries in the running back rotation. Patterson led the Football Bowl subdivision in rushing yards per game and is excellent at finding yards after contact.
If Patterson can improve as a wide receiver out of the backfield, the Saints will give him some shots as his rookie season progresses.
