2020 NFL Draft: Comparing 5 Saints mock draft scenarios

The New Orleans Saints are likely to draft a wide receiver early and bulk up the offensive line, if 2020 NFL Draft mock-ups are accurate.

Scenario 3

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  • Round 1, Pick 24. Justin Jefferson, WR LSU
  • Round 3, Pick 88. Damon Arnette, CB Ohio State
  • Round 4, Pick 120. Solomon Kindley, IOL Georgia
  • Round 5, Pick 151. Bravvion Roy, IDL Baylor
  • Round 6, Pick 183. Francis Bernard, LB Utah

There’s some familiar faces, which might give us confidence that those players will actually be available in those spots during the real draft (or not. It’s only March). Jefferson and Kindley again ended up with the Saints, with the algorithm connecting their skills sets to the team’s needs.

Arnette would provide solid depth for the Saints at cornerback, and help meet their quota of Buckeyes defensive backs (especially if Eli Apple or Vonn Bell leave in free agency). He’s started three years in Columbus and leaves with an impressive 22 total passes defensed. That suggests his 30-inch arms (borderline-acceptable by NFL standards) aren’t a problem to his game.

Roy and Bernard round out the group as backups with upside; Roy was arguably one of the biggest snubs of this year’s combine, having finished his senior year with 13 tackles for loss (and 5.5 sacks) at 330-plus pounds. He fits the mold as a Shy Tuttle/Taylor Stallworth-style gem that the Saints have made a habit of finding in recent years. Bernard is an undersized linebacker who would figure to compete with Kaden Elliss and Craig Robertson for special teams looks.

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