New Orleans Saints Mock Draft 3.0

The 2023 NFL Draft will be kicking off on April 27th in Kansas City, Missouri and the New Orleans Saints will hold the 29th overall pick in the first round. The Saints have been busy during the free agency period that started on March 15th. New Orleans has been able to fill holes on their roster, including at the quarterback and running back positions. The black and gold can still use help on the defensive line with several key players leaving the organization. The Saints currently hold eight selections in this year’s NFL Draft and they will have an opportunity to add depth to their roster in order to compete in an NFC South division that is wide-open. Here is the third rendition of the Saints mock draft:

Round 1, Pick 29: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

New Orleans was able to add defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders in free agency to fill the void at defensive tackle. The Saints still need to lock up Malcolm Roach to feel good about the position heading into the 2023 season. Even if they are able to resign Roach to a multi-year contract, New Orleans still lacks depth at defensive tackle. The black and gold go Bryan Bresee with their first selection of the draft.

In his final season at Clemson in 2022, Bresee was credited with 16 tackles (5.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, and two pass breakups in 329 snaps from scrimmage over 10 games. Bresee was a second-team All-ACC selection and was named as a Lott IMPACT Trophy quarterfinalist. He has the ability to generate instant acceleration off the snap and has closing burst when he has open space to the ball carrier

Round 2, Pick 40: BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU

The defensive line depth chart is starting to become thin as Marcus Davenport is headed to the Minnesota Vikings. Now that Davenport has left New Orleans that leaves Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Payton Turner on the active roster. The Saints could use some help at the position and they address that need with their second pick of the draft. At pick No. 40, New Orleans selects LSU edge rusher BJ Ojulari.

Ojulari is a versatile defender that can play either linebacker or defensive end. He pursues excellent speed and has all of the tools to become a dominant defender in the NFL. The LSU product is very disruptive in both the passing and the running game. During the 2022 season, Ojulari recorded 58 total tackles (36 solo tackles), 5.5 sacks, one fumble forced, and one fumble recovery.

Round 3, Pick 71: Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston

New Orleans was able to bring back Michael Thomas during the free agency period. The Saints were able to strike gold at the wide receiver position in last year’s draft by bringing in first-round draft pick Chris Olave and un-drafted free agent Rashid Shaheed. Wide receiver isn’t much of a blaring need as it was heading into last year’s draft, but the Saints could always use some depth at the position. With a talented wide receiver draft class in 2023, it is hard for New Orleans to pass up on the talent. The Saints select Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell with their third pick in the draft.

Dell had one of the best seasons of his collegiate career with the Cougars during the 2022 season. In 2022, Dell hauled in 109 receptions for 1,398 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. The Houston product was able to have six 100-yard receiving performances on the season. Dell makes it difficult for opposing defenders to match and mirror his routes. When he gets the ball in his hands, he is able to accelerate to the next level to provide a big play for the offense.

Round 4, Pick 115: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU

The Saints dealt with a key injury in their secondary last season as Marshon Lattimore missed a majority of the season. Rookie cornerback, Alontae Taylor, was able to step up and fill that void during Lattimore’s absence. New Orleans is set to have one of the best cornerback duos with Taylor and Lattimore heading into the 2023 season. Even with the young talent that is at the position, you never know who is going to be able to stay healthy during a long NFL season. New Orleans is able to add a stud at the cornerback position by taking Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson in the fourth round.

Hodges-Tomlinson was one of the best cornerbacks during the 2022 season as he won the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. He led TCU with 1,088 defensive snaps and led the Big 12 with 18 passes defended. One of the bright spots about Hodges-Tomlinson’s game is that he is able to match receivers upfield with bursts.

Round 5, Pick 146: DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

New Orleans was able to add a key piece to their running back depth chart by signing Jamaal Williams. Williams is coming off one of his best seasons in the NFL and he will be paired up with Alvin Kamara. There is still concern surrounding Kamara as he may have to miss several games. If Kamara has to miss games due to a suspension, then Williams would take over as the RB1. After Williams, the running back position becomes thin for the Saints. New Orleans takes running back DeWayne McBride with their first of two picks in round five.

McBride finished the regular season as the nation’s leading rusher (1,713) and also led the nation in rushing yards per game (155.7). He was the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and was a Doak Walker Award Semifinalist. The UAB product has good size for the position and he has the ability to run with power.

Round 5, Pick 165: Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia

The black and gold were able to solve their quarterback issues by bringing in Derek Carr during the free agency period. New Orleans was also able to bring back Jameis Winston. The Saints will now move on from a brief stint with Andy Dalton and put trust in Carr to turn around an offense that was lackluster in 2022. New Orleans continues to add to their quarterback room by taking a proven winner in Stetson Bennett to wrap up their fifth-round selections.

Bennett was one of the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy Award and was the winner of the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy. He was able to lead Georgia to back-to-back national championships and would be one of the great stories in college football. The Georgia product finished the last season of his career strong as he had 304 yards and four touchdowns against TCU in the national championship game. He would also rush for 39 yards and two touchdowns against the Horned Frogs.

Round 7, Pick 227: Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah

The linebacking core took a hit for the Saints, as Kaden Ellis is no longer on the team. New Orleans needs someone to fill in the hole that Ellis is going to leave. There are question marks of whether that will be Zack Baun or D’Marco Jackson. Adding another linebacker only makes sense for the black and gold that would create some upside for the defense. New Orleans takes Mohamoud Diabate with the first of two selections in the seventh round.

Diabate had an exceptional 2022 campaign with the Utes, as he led the team with 13.5 tackles for loss and ranked second with 58 total tackles. The Utah product ranked No. 6 0f all Pac-12 linebackers with 5.0 sacks. He would also add one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry, and a forced fumble on the year. Diabate has good initial quickness and enough speed to be an everyday NFL linebacker.

Round 7, Pick 257: Brandon Hill, S, Pittsburgh

New Orleans was able to add two veteran safeties heading into the 2022 season with Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye. Maye dealt with injuries throughout the 2022 season, leaving Mathieu to play every defensive snap during the 17-game stretch. The Saints were able to resign J.T. Gray and he may be expected to play defensive snaps to a position that is in need of depth. The black and gold wrap up the 2023 NFL Draft by taking Pittsburgh safety Brandon Hill.

Hill started all 12 games as strong safety for the Panthers during the 2022 season. In 2022, Hill was the team’s second-leading tackler (67 total tackles). He would add two pass breakups and one fumble recovery on the year. Hill was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week for his performance against Duke. The Pittsburgh product is one of the most athletic defensive backs in his draft class and he will be able to play in a variety of systems at the next level.