We’re at the midpoint of the 2019 NFL regular season, and the New Orleans Saints are on their bye week. A busy slate of college football games are about to kick off on Saturday, and there’s no better time to find some new names to watch out for. So here’s our midseason 2020 mock draft for the Saints, detailing their picks in the first four rounds.
We used the NFL Mock Draft Simulator from The Draft Network to get something close to an idea of which prospects may be available when the Saints are projected to be on the board. Here’s who we selected.
Round One: OL Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin Badgers
Biadasz (pronounced Bee-ah-dish) plays center for the Badgers, but he has every tool you’d want to convert him to left guard and replace free agent-to-be Andrus Peat next season. Biadasz is a three-year starter for Wisconsin who has consistently graded out as one of the better pass-protectors by Pro Football Focus, an area that’s been proven to translate to the NFL. The Saints hit a home run by drafting right tackle Ryan Ramczyk out of the same program, and would do well to go back there to reinforce their offensive line.
Watch him next: Nov. 9 on FOX at 3 p.m. CT, versus the Iowa Hawkeyes
Round Two: Traded in 2019
The Saints traded this pick to the Miami Dolphins in a package of selections that turned into two players: center Erik McCoy (picked No. 48) and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (No. 116). At this point in the season, both of those rookies are starting and playing at a high level. McCoy has been an upgrade over retired center Max Unger, whose body had begun to break down on him due to injuries, while Gardner-Johnson has done a great job in coverage while tackling like a linebacker. They both have bright futures.
Watch them next: Nov. 10 on FOX at noon CT, versus the Atlanta Falcons
Round Three: WR Sage Surratt, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Surratt might not be available here when the draft comes around. He’s a big target (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) who can run past opponents and outmuscle them on contested catches. He’s already logged four games with 150-plus receiving yards this year, catching nine touchdown passes in his first seven games. He’s exactly the kind of dominant force the Saints need to pair with Michael Thomas at wide receiver. The only question will be how soon can he adapt to the NFL — he was a highly-touted high school basketball recruit, but wanted to focus on football at Wake Forest.
Watch him next: Nov. 2 on ESPN at 11 a.m. CT, versus the N.C. State Wolfpack
Round Four: CB Eric Stokes, Georgia Bulldogs
There isn’t a team in the NFL that has enough cornerbacks, and the Saints are going to have some vacancies next year. Eli Apple and P.J. Williams are both going to be free agents, and Patrick Robinson might be a salary cap casualty. Stokes would be a great option to contribute right away as a rookie on special teams while continuing to learn the ropes as a starting-quality cover corner. He’s also a talented blitzer, which the Saints value highly in their defensive backs.
Watch him next: Nov. 2 on CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT, versus the Florida Gators
