Round 2

Remember, we traded next year’s third-round pick in the package that netted Lamb. The Saints are projected to receive a compensatory third-rounder in 2021 so giving up that future asset was easier to agree to. We were also able to hold onto this year’s third-round pick at No. 88. With a few top-40 graded talents still available around the middle of the second round, we started making calls to move up, targeting a small cloud of prospects led by Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson and Michigan linebacker Joshua Uche.

By the time we found a team willing to agree to our terms (the Pittsburgh Steelers, swapping their second- and fourth-round picks at Nos. 49 and No. 135 for our third- and fourth-round picks at No. 88 and No. 130, as well as next year’s second-round pick), only Uche was still available out of the cloud’s top tier. But we’ll take him because he’s an ideal fit for what we’re looking for, even if he’s still developing into a full-time player.

Uche racked up 15.5 sacks in his last two years at Michigan, starting in his senior year after having been buried on their depth chart (much like Alvin Kamara was limited to a backup role at Tennessee). He slots into the Saints defense as a versatile pressure player, lining up as often on the edge as over guards in obvious passing situations, focusing on a first-year role at strongside linebacker (pushing both Alex Anzalone and Kiko Alonso for snaps, and pushing Craig Robertson further down the depth chart). He can also chip in on special teams, an area of emphasis for the Saints.

Uche might not be Jamie Collins just yet, but there are reasons to feel optimistic he can become that kind of player with quality coaching in New Orleans.

It was important to trade up to this spot for Uche because several teams were waiting to snap him up. That group included the Chicago Bears at No. 50, the Los Angeles Rams at Nos. 52 and 57, the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 53, and the Miami Dolphins at No. 56. While the Saints are now without first- and second-round picks in 2021, their expected comp picks still give them a total of seven selections next year. And we have three picks remaining in this 2020 mock draft.

The pick: LB Josh Uche, Michigan

Round 3

The draft shook out about as we expected here, with most of the linebacker class getting taken off the board. There was an opportunity to trade up for our top-ranked tight end (Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet), an interior lineman (Wisconsin’s Tyler Biadasz) that we liked, and underrated quarterback Jalen Hurts, but the cost of moving from No. 135 to a pick in the 70’s was too steep in light of our previous moves. It’s best to wait this round out, but we’ll keep in mind that players like them were available in those spots.

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