2019 NFL Draft: Fixing one pick for each NFC South team
New Orleans Saints 2019 NFL Draft Picks:
Round 2 (48th Overall): Erik McCoy, OL, Texas A&M
Round 4 (105): Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
Round 6 (177): Saquan Hampton, S, Rutgers
Round 7 (231): Alize Mack, TE, Notre Dame
Round 7 (244): Kaden Elliss, LB, Idaho
Saints select Jaquan Johnson, S, Miami (FL) instead of Saquan Hampton
The New Orleans Saints only made five selections in the 2019 NFL Draft, and four of those five picks came on day three. Simply put, the Saints did not really have the draft capital to significantly improve their roster in the 2019 NFL Draft.
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That being said, this team did about as well as could be expected with what they had to work with. Their selection of Erik McCoy in the second round was absolutely brilliant. McCoy is one of the best interior offensive line prospects in this draft class and will be a perfect replacement for Max Unger at the center position.
After that, the Saints swung for the fences with the selection of Florida safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, a prospect who many considered to be a first-round talent. Gardner-Johnson should be able to make an immediate impact for the Saints, showing the ability to fill in as a deep safety, slot cornerback and near the line of scrimmage.
There is also a lot to like about the Saints’ final three picks of the 2019 NFL Draft. Saquan Hampton, Alize Mack and Kaden Elliss were all great values for where they were taken. Based on what they had to work with, the Saints had an incredible draft. However, if you look closely enough there is always room for improvement.
In this situation, I would have like to see the Saints take Miami safety Jaquan Johnson instead of Hampton. Hampton is a good prospect who should fit well in New Orleans, but Johnson is better. He is a talented hybrid safety who is known as a great leader and an extremely competitive player.
Johnson could have been a major immediate asset for the Saints on special teams and provide real defensive upside down the line.