One defensive tackle prospect for the Saints for every round of 2023 NFL draft
The biggest New Orleans Saints roster need runs along their defensive line — both at end and at tackle. Despite having signed a couple of veteran free agents in Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders, there’s still room for more help up front. Four of the Saints’ top five defensive linemen have left in free agency, including all three of their top interior tackles.
To that end, we’re highlighting one prospect who fits what the Saints look for from a traits and athletic prototype standpoint in each round of the 2023 NFL draft. There are other prospects to monitor too, both in the early rounds (like Pitt’s Calijah Kancey and Baylor’s Siaki Ika), the middle of the draft (in Bowling Green’s Karl Brooks and Alabama’s Byron Young), and in the later rounds (such as Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond or Coastal Carolina’s Jerrod Clark). But here’s a shortlist of candidates:
A look at some of the defensive tackles the Kansas City Chiefs could add in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
In each of the past two seasons, Brett Veach has taken a defensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs within the top-100 picks of the NFL Draft. Both Derrick Nnadi and Khalen Saunders have shown the ability to get on the field early in their careers. The team also already has a star in Chris Jones and re-signed an important free agent in Mike Pennel.
The sheer depth the Chiefs have at the position would make you think that the team is done adding there, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo might have other plans, though. He likes a strong rotation in the trenches and with both Jones and Pennel scheduled to become free agents again in a year, they could look to add another player with an eye toward the future. Here is a look at some of the defensive tackle prospects Kansas City could consider in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft:
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Round 1: Texas A&M DT Justin Maduibuike
Madubuike is a bit undersized at 6-3 and 293 pounds, and some have him falling outside of the first round, but he’s been a stud at every level of football along the way to the NFL. He was a five-star recruit out of high school, choosing Texas A&M to develop his talents. As a Sophomore with the Aggies, he earned the defensive MVP award with a team-leading three forced fumbles, 40 tackles, 10.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks. He followed it up leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss in 2019.
Pad level, strength and get-off are how Madubuike makes up for his lack of size. He’s versatile with the ability to play up and down the defensive line. He’s not one dimensional either, as he makes a big impact in the run game. That’s important because if you’re taking a defensive lineman this high you want him to be able to play for all three downs.
