The New Orleans Saints sacrificed their highest pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to move up the year before, meaning they will have to wait longer than normal to improve again. In other words, other teams will get to pick 61 times before New Orleans adds its first college prospect at 62. On the surface, that makes it seem like their chances at bringing in a talented player are slim. But recent history suggests that, if they’re careful, the Saints can get better despite sitting so far back in the draft order. Here’s every player picked at 62 overall since 2013:
2018. OT Brian O’Neill, Minnesota Vikings
O’Neill was a physical marvel with rare gifts, measuring in at 6-foot-7, 300-pounds at the 2018 Scouting Combine and timing 4.82-seconds in the 40-yard dash. Originally envisioned as a redshirt prospect (O’Neill played tight end until 2015), he improved too quickly to keep off the field and ended up starting by midseason. If the Saints can land an upgrade like O’Neill at any position of need, they should walk away feeling like they’ve hit a home run.
2017. WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
Smith-Schuster is exactly the kind of receiver Saints fans should hope for. He’s not the biggest or fastest player (6-foot-1, 215-pounds with a 4.54-second 40-yard dash) but knows how to make the most of his frame and bully opponents to compete for the ball. He excels in making plays from the slot and sprinting upfield, running through defenders as easily as he evades them. Michael Thomas desperately needs a sidekick, and someone like Smith-Schuster — a 2018 Pro Bowler — would be perfect.
2016. CB James Bradberry, Carolina Panthers
The Saints don’t need another cornerback, but they would be thrilled if someone like Bradberry fell to them. He’s a big defensive back (6-foot-1, 212-pounds with 4.5-second speed) who’s a natural at turning around to make a play on the football. Bradberry has collected seven turnovers (five interceptions, two fumbles) and 35 pass breakups in his three-year career. Getting a solid starter like him late in the second round should be the goal.
2015. CB Quinten Rollins, Green Bay Packers
This is the pick which should give fans pause. Rollins only played one year of college football, though he earned conference honors after bagging seven interceptions. He initially made some plays as the dime cornerback as a rookie, but persistent injuries kept him off the field. He was eventually waived in 2018. Between injuries and struggles to settle in at any one position, Rollins was unable to put his athleticism to use. The lesson here for the Saints should be to target someone with clearly-defined traits and a reasonable resume.
2014. QB Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots
Obviously, the Saints would hope things turn out better for any quarterback they draft here than how the Garoppolo-Patriots story resolved itself. Garoppolo was drafted to succeed Tom Brady but the timing was off, sending him off to San Francisco in a trade. He’s shown that he has all the tools to win in the NFL, and the Saints would be over the moon to land a franchise quarterback like him this late in the second round.
2013. RB Christine Michael, Seattle Seahawks
This pick should also be a cautionary tale for the Saints. Michael was drafted to replace Marshawn Lynch, and looked promising early in his career. But he never stepped up as someone who could shoulder the load for a full game, and was traded just two years after he was drafted. Michael bounced from one team to the next, returning to Seattle briefly, but his NFL career ended last September when he couldn’t make it onto a 53-man roster. Michael struggled to execute his assignments, at times even missing the right running lane. The Saints must do a better job of judging whether the player they pick here can do what’s asked than Michael could.
