We’re just a day away from the 2020 NFL Draft, and the New Orleans Saints have done a great job disguising their intentions. That said, some consensus among the media has started to emerge, with most outlets pointing to linebacker as the team’s highest position of need. It’s easy to buy into that theory considering how many starters and backups are returning from season-ending injuries.
The most recent four-round mock draft comes from Luke Easterling over at Draft Wire, and here are the prospects who ended up with the Saints:
- Round 1: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
- Round 2: No pick
- Round 3: WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
- Round 4: QB Jake Fromm, Georgia
The first two picks are solid; Murray is a popular pick as the best linebacker prospect in this year’s class, even if he has some issues to iron out with misdiagnosing plays and overrunning his run fits. He’d be a good addition, as would the other top-tier linebacker in LSU’s Patrick Queen. Either of them could help the team.
And Claypool is an intriguing player with experience at every receiver spot. He’s a big, athletic target at 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, having timed the 40-yard dash in just 4.42 seconds. He’s also one of the younger players in this draft class, which is a good sign considering the polish he needs as a route-runner and his inexperience in reading coverage before the snap. He could immediately upgrade the depth chart while getting coached up over the next year or two.
Fromm would do a fine job as a clipboard holder on game days, but he’s too similar to Garrett Grayson for our tastes. He’s a sitting duck in the pocket who’s too hesitant to stretch the field. Hard pass.
