New Orleans Saints

2017 NFL Draft: New Orleans Saints 7-Round Mock Draft Post-Free Agency

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:06 p.m. ET

Fansided, Randy Gurzi/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

With two picks in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints can make big moves. How does it play out in this seven-round mock draft?

The 2017 NFL Draft is almost here and teams are ready to make themselves better. As for the New Orleans Saints, watching them on offense is like watching a Broadway musical. The players work together in unison and are able to accomplish remarkable feats. The plays seem magnificent and complex, yet are run with perfection by a group of studs like quarterback Drew Brees, wide receivers Michael Thomas and Willie Snead and running back Mark Ingram.

Their ability to feed off one another while executing a game plan is how they ended up second in the NFL in points (29.3 per game), first in total yards (426) and first in passing yards (317.1). This unit really is impressive.

Defensively, though, was more like a kindergarten class putting on a Thanksgiving celebration pageant. On that side of the ball they finished second to last in points surrendered (28.4 per game), last in yards through the air (273.8) and 27th overall in total yards (375.4). As good as the offense was, the defense was equally as horrendous.

Owning two picks in the first round thanks to the Brandin Cooks trade, the Saints may be able to find some help on their weak side of the ball. This full seven-round mock of the New Orleans Saints 2017 NFL Draft tries to address that side following free agency, while also keeping the offense stocked.

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) and Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Avery Gennesy (65) in action during the game at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1, Pick 11: Derek Barnett, DE — Tennessee

Defensive end Cameron Jordan led the Saints with 7.5 sacks last season and defensive tackle Nick Fairley added another 6.5. Both will return in 2017 and there's no reason to think they can't continue to be effective in their roles for New Orleans. There's also no reason to think the team should be satisfied with how often they take opposing quarterbacks down.

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To try and become better in that area—and thus better overall on defense—the Saints select Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett with their first of two picks in the opening round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Barnett measured in at 6-3 and 259 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine and is easily one of the premier edge rushers entering the draft this season.

He broke a Tennessee record for sacks which was previously held by the legendary Reggie White, and should have no problem transitioning to being a pass rusher at the next level. Mock drafts have him going from an early pick to all the way in the 20s, but there's no way such a talent gets past the defensive-starved Saints.

Nothing fixes a defense like pressuring another team's quarterback, and Barnett can do that as well as anyone who has entered the league in the past several years.

Nov 10, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Utah Utes defensive back Marcus Williams (20) returns an interception against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1, Pick 32 (via Patriots): Marcus Williams, S — Utah

The New Orleans Saints keep adding to their defense by using their second of two first round picks on safety Marcus Williams from Utah. After releasing former high-priced free agent pick up Jairus Byrd, he fills a huge need and is an excellent corner that knows how to create turnovers.

Dane Brugler of CBS Sports highlights Williams' ability to bait a passer and use his athleticism to make gam-changing plays:

Williams has an excellent feel for what the offense is trying to do with the cover awareness to bait and force quarterbacks to think twice when he is in the area. His play speed and range allow him to cover a lot of green, displaying smooth hip action and ball skills to track the ball in flight. Plenty of evaluators abide by the old scouting rule that you shouldn't draft sub-200 pound safeties high in the draft, but Williams has the cover skills and natural instincts to be an exception.

The Saints now add two starters with their two picks in round one. It's a great step in the right direction as they try to get themselves back on the right track after a few seasons in a row of futility.

Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Gareon Conley participates in workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2, Pick 42: Gareon Conley, CB — Ohio State

They keep going for defense, which makes sense given their lack of talent on that side of the ball in recent seasons. They try and snag a third-straight player capable of starting immediately in Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley. The 6-0, 195-pound corner has excellent size for the position, and is a fringe first-round talent.

Conley played in the shadow of fellow corner Marshon Lattimore, but has risen up boards recently thanks to a solid combine. ESPN's Mel Kiper has him going all the way up to 14 to the Eagles in his latest mock:

The Eagles are in a good spot to get their pick of one of the best cornerbacks in a deep class. Several will be on the board at No. 14 with a potential run on pass-rushers at the top of the first round. Conley, the third member of the Ohio State secondary to be picked so far, is rising after the combine, where he ran a 4.44 40 with a 37.5-inch vertical at 6-0, 195.

While Conley is talented, that's incredibly high when there are several other options available who went up against better talent as their team's number one corner. 42 feels much closer to Conley's place to get picked.

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) reacts following his touchdown catch against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, Pick 76: Chris Godwin, WR — Penn State

After trading away Brandin Cooks, the New Orleans Saints picked up speedster Tedd Ginn to be a deep threat. They also still have Willie Snead and Michael Thomas, but these guys like to throw the ball a lot. Their love of throwing it around leads to them selecting Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin with the 76th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Godwin is a talented wide out, but doesn't get the attention of some of the other prospects out there. He did himself some favors though by running a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash as well as hitting four seconds even in the 20-yard shuttle. Godwin also showed off his strength by putting up 19 reps in the bench press.

He also measured in at 6-1 and 209 pounds which does a lot to help against the small label some had placed on him. The underclassmen excelled at winning jump balls and was great in the red zone. After getting over 1,000 yards as a sophomore he put up 982 yards with 11 touchdowns as a junior before declaring for the draft. In an offense like the Saints, a player like Godwin could be deadly.

Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Duke Riley (40) celebrates as Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks on following a defensive stop during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, Pick 103 (Compensatory): Duke Riley, LB — LSU

After finally getting offensive with their first of two picks in the third round, New Orleans goes back to the defensive side of the ball with their compensatory pick. No. 103 overall is spent on an in-state product as LSU linebacker Duke Riley gets the call.

At just 6-0 and 232 pounds, Riley doesn't have ideal height, but a 4.58-second 40-yard dash shows that he does have great speed. SEC Country's Nick Suss says that Riley's speed was on display and helped him back during the Senior Bowl.

Riley led a South team stacked with linebacker talent like Anzalone, Clemson's Ben Boulware and BYU's Harvey Langi in tackles with seven and was constantly around the ball, as is his trademark. But more impressive than the tackles is the range Riley showcased. Riley is a bit undersized at 6-foot-1, but he makes up for that (relatively unimportant) fact with speed and reaction times comparable to the best linebackers you'll see.

Riley had 93 tackles as a senior after spending most of his first three years as a reserve player, and could find himself working into a good rotation for the Saints.

Oct 29, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) warms up prior to the game against the Auburn Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6, Pick 196: Chad Kelly, QB — Ole Miss

Well it could be former first round pick Johnny Manziel behind Drew Brees apparently. Yet, even if he did wind up in the Big Easy, would it be smart to count on just Manziel as the potential heir to Brees? Absolutely not. Manziel blew it after the Cleveland Browns made him their second of two first round choices in 2014. He was so bad as a teammate that they rid themselves of him after two seasons and he spent all of 2016 off partying.

To keep from being dependent on him, the Saints grab Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Kelly is the nephew of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and had some issues of his own in college. He was kicked off the Clemson football team but eventually seemed to turn things around and had some really good moments for Ole Miss.

A torn ACL ended his final season early, and then there was a lot of junk around whether or not he would be allowed at the scouting combine. In the end, he wound up not being invited, and since then the talk about his "baggage" has only grown according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports:

I have gotten asked a couple of times why Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly, who was not invited to the combine, has gotten so little mention when folks discuss the 2017 quarterback draft class. Kelly has a strong arm and good wheels but he's got a significant amount of baggage. I'm told it's considerably worse than what has been reported.

Despite his off-field issues, Kelly is way more talented than anyone else available this late and is surely worth a shot, especially if they're willing to consider Johnny Football.

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Williams (18) scores a touchdown under the pressure of Louisville Cardinals safety Dee Smith (11) during the first quarter at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7, Pick 229: Stanley 'Boom' Williams, RB — Kentucky

The Saints now grab a running back with their last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. At just 5-7 and 190 pounds, Kentucky's Stanley "Boom" Williams doesn't scream every-down back. He also doesn't scream full-time third down back according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, but the draft expert does describe a guy who can excel in New Orleans in Williams' Draft Profile:

Scat back with outstanding burst who can create for himself in space, but is not about that life when asked to run between the tackles.Williams doesn't have the blocking or the hands to be a full-time third-down back and he lacks the decisiveness and vision necessary to handle snaps as a backup.

A guy who can create in space can surely thrive for the Saints. With such a pass-heavy offense—loaded with talented receivers and tight ends—Williams could get lost by defenses and has enough speed to make them pay.

Williams put up 1,170 yards on the ground in 2016 for the Wildcats, but probably won't put up those kind of numbers in the pros ever. In order to make a team he will need to do so as a receiving back, and with just 38 career receptions he will need to improve in that area. He is worth a shot this late though because of how he was able to move the ball on SEC defenses in college.