New Orleans Saints use limited picks in 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
The New Orleans Saints do their best with limited resources in this seven-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
Just a few weeks ago we thought we saw Drew Brees walk off the football field for the final time. However, new rumors are suggesting that Brees might not be done after all. For the New Orleans Saints, this could be the best news of the offseason.
As it currently stands, the Saints are set to enter the 2021 NFL Draft with just a handful of selections. With all the picks being in the back half of the rounds, finding a quarterback would be a difficult task. Now, there’s speculation of whether Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill or someone else could take the reigns in New Orleans, but another offseason to prepare for that step would be like finding a pot of gold.
Even if Brees returns, he won’t be what we’re used to. The Drew Brees that played in 2020 looked like an aged version of the future Hall-of-Famer. If that’s the case, then the Saints need to invest in the defense to make life for the offense easier. If Brees does in fact retire, then investing in the defense becomes even more important as they could be relied on to win games.
Note: This mock draft was completed using The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine.
Round 1, Pick 28
LB. Missouri. Nick Bolton. 1. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 822
The core of the New Orleans Saints defense is what gets addressed first in this 2021 NFL mock draft, being the linebacker position. The Saints have bigger needs, but in terms of what will be available later in the draft, this gets addressed first.
Demario Davis is getting older at 32-years-old and Craig Robertson as well. Alex Anzalone could both leave in free agency. Now, Kwon Alexander and Zack Baun are both serviceable options, but Nick Bolton can help take the position to the next level in a tough division.
Bolton is a natural tackler in the middle of the field, logging 220 tackles over just 32 games with Missouri with 198 of those coming in the last 22 games. Bolton has also shown the ability to drop back into coverage, registering 12 passes defended over the last two seasons.