JACKSON: Three Saints mock draft picks based on potential head coach hires

By Ross Jackson

The NFL Draft evaluation process is set to begin soon with all-star games and the Combine, and the New Orleans Saints could see their schemes change with a new head coach on the way. Those changes in scheme could result in some exciting shifts in draft approach as well.

In order to explore that further, we prepared three four-round mock drafts which vary depending on a hypothetical head coaching hire. With Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn becoming more and more connected to the New York Jets job by the day, this exploration will include three of the other favorites to land the job. Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Ex-Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, and Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. 

While Kingsbury seems like the most farfetched candidate at the moment, he does present a unique potential for change which is interesting to explore.

Here are the rules for the mock drafts:

• Each mock will cover four rounds.
• The mock drafts are designed to reflect the impact of the head coach change only, without accounting for hypothetical coaching staff additions.
• Prospects cannot be drafted more than once across the three mock drafts.
• A potential free agent linked to each coach is included to explore how free agency could influence draft needs.

Joe Brady Mock Draft:

Free agent addition – RB Ty Johnson

New Orleans needs a reliable complement to star running back Alvin Kamara. Johnson could be that guy. He played the third-down back role behind back James Cook in Buffalo. He could hold a similar role for the Saints. Kamara could handle early downs while Johnson comes in on third downs, where pass protection in the backfield may be necessary. He can also run routes from the running back spot and runs with good vision, as well. Johnson had four total touchdowns in 2024 and averaged 5.2 yards per carry in the run game.

Round 1, Pick 9 – TE Tyler Warren, Penn State 

At 6-foot-6 and 261 pounds, Warren is the all-around tight end that Saints fans dream about. He’ll likely have to specialize a bit more in the NFL, but could give New Orleans a quintessential middle-of-the-field threat while wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed threaten deep. Adding another alpha pass-catching option at wide receiver may be what’s needed to maximize a pick like this. However, Brady’s creative offense lives by the motto everybody eats, so there would be no reason to hold back here.

I’m not the biggest fan of tight ends in the first round, especially with such a talented and deep class as this one, for teams that don’t have long-term answers at more impactful positions. I also won’t be the one in the draft room.

Round 2, Pick 40 – OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State 

The 6-foot-6, 305 pound offensive line prospect has played all five positions. He could be a great plug and play option at left guard, the offensive line’s most immediate need. Zabel is excellent in the zone run game which would remain a big part of the Saints’ 2025 offensive attack under Brady.

Round 3, Pick 71 – WR Jalen Royals, Utah State 

Royals’ stock is about to explode throughout the draft process. The 6-foot, 205 pound wideout is an absolute playmaker. He had a season-ending foot injury that caused him to fall off of some radars. However, that injury is not expected to impact his pre-draft work, allowing him to get back on the maps of many. His 64.1% contested catch percentage is exactly what the Saints need in their offense and would complement the skill position collection incredibly well, no matter who is at quarterback.

Round 3, Pick 93 – DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Harmon’s stock is all over the place. He’s often a top-100 pick, but also a top-75 pick. Some mocks even have him higher, but if it’s not Harmon here, then the archetype is what’s most important. The Saints need to rebuild their defensive line and the 6-foot-5, 310 pound defensive tackle would be a great addition. New Orleans would benefit from adding the big-bodied, athletic power player in the middle.

Round 4, Pick 110 – WR Pat Bryant, Illinois

New Orleans doesn’t often double-up at position in the draft, though they did in 2024 at tackle. However, if there’s a position to take a second swing, wide receiver could be it. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Bryant presents another contested catch threat for red zone reps and a solid blocker to boot. He’s also as sure-handed as they come with only a single drop on 78 targets in 2024. He finished the season with 984 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches on 54 receptions.

Round 4, Pick 129 – C Jonah Monheim, USC

The 6-foot-5, 320 pound offensive lineman has played every position but left guard. The Saints need a legitimate backup center and Monheim could develop into that for New Orleans, while shoring up depth at other spots.

Kliff Kingsbury Mock Draft:

Free agent addition – WR Noah Brown

Brown had his most successful season in 2023 with the Houston Texans, but followed it up well in Washington, despite being available for only 11 games. The 6-foot-2, 215 pound receiver helped convert 21 first downs in the passing game, along with dropping just two passes on 56 targets. His 453 receiving yards in 2024 would have ranked No. 3 on the Saints’ offense, which was riddled with injury last year.

Round 1, Pick 9 – WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

In Kingsbury’s offense, the more are the merrier. Numerous wide receivers that can line up across the formations are necessary, so might as well continue to build the position up and provide the weapons the team will need. With Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan off the board in this simulation, the 6-foot-1, 200 pound Ohio State Buckeye could be Kingsbury’s next Terry McLaurin. Of similar build and coming from the same system—which is also trusted in New Orleans—Egbuka may feel like a reach at No. 9, but the key here is to draft good players that fit the system.

Round 2, Pick 40 – EDGE Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

Umanmielen is blend of the Saints’ typical power-rusher with the extra jolt of athleticism and speed around the edge. He comes in at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, which is typically below the New Orleans threshold. But it’s time for a change of scheme with a new defensive coordinator on the way. Kingsbury may be an offensive guy, but he knows the value of a good pass rush. Umanmielen paired with a slimmed down Carl Granderson as defensive end could be a productive duo.

Round 3, Pick 71 – TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

Teams won’t have to settle for Warren in the first to get the best tight end in the country, because Fannin Jr. is likely a day two pick coming out of a school with a lower profile than Penn State. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he could stand to bulk up a bit more and has the frame to do so. Fannin Jr. led all players in 2024 across the country with 1,554 receiving yards, including eight 100+ yard games. Think of him as this season’s Isaiah Likely. 

Round 3, Pick 93 – DT JJ Pegues, Ole Miss

The Chucky Mullins award winner in Oxford checks a lot of boxes. He’s built like a classic interior run-plugger at 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds, he is a pillar within his community off the field and has been a longtime team leader, even before transferring to Ole Miss. During his days with Auburn, he was a highly respected player, so much that when Ole Miss and Auburn met during the 2024 season, Auburn players all took time to greet and talk with Pegues after the game. A touching display of respect. He’s had at least three sacks in each of the last three seasons. He also had 22 runs tops in 2024, which would have ranked No. 2 among defensive lineman for New Orleans.

Round 4, Pick 110 – RB DJ Giddens, Kansas State

This class is filled with running back talent. Giddens is a good, versatile runner who can also catch and block. He averaged 4.16 yards after contact in 2024. That mark was only reached by do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill in New Orleans last season. At 6-foot-1 and 212 pounds, Giddens has both NFL size and talent.

Round 4, Pick 129 – G Tyler Cooper, Minnesota

Waiting this long to address the trenches may only be possible if the Saints add a valuable blocker in free agency ahead of time. Assuming that’s the case, Cooper’s 6-foot-6, 310 pound frame would be a perfect mid-round addition. He has experience with snaps everywhere on the offensive line outside of center and at the very least provides another boost to depth on the interior.

Mike McCarthy Mock Draft:

Free agent addition: DL Osa Odighizuwa

Running back Rico Dowdle was a big consideration here, but with how strong the running back class is, and for the sake of variety, Odighizuwa gets the nod. The versatile defensive lineman is remarkably athletic and has some development left to reach his ceiling. Whether or not he’ll be a major impact player will have to be seen over time, but adding talented, young players to help revamp the defensive line is a must for New Orleans.

Round 1, Pick 9 – EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Whether with the Dallas Cowboys or the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy teams tend to lean on the trenches in the first round of the draft. Pearce, who is 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, has the versatility to line up with his hand in the dirt and in a stand-up edge rusher role. He has the ability to win on the outside with speed and play a Micah Parson-like role. That’s not to say that he will have Parsons-level production in the league, but he has the talent to provide pressure off the edge at the NFL level and has the athleticism to hang with today’s quarterbacks.

Round 2 Pick 40 – RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State 

With Dowdle heading elsewhere in this hypothetical, drafting the 5-foot-11, 215 pound Sun Devil could make a lot of sense. Skattebo is versatile, has talented hands as a receiver and can run multiple schemes. His 4.09 yards after contact would have topped Saints running backs in 2024. He finished the year with 1,712 rushing yards and 21 touchdown runs. McCarthy needs talent at running back because his rush schemes haven’t proven fruitful throughout his career. Having a pairing like Kamara and Skettebo that can make coaches right and produce as receivers would be a good angle for him to take.

Round 3, Pick 71 – DT Deone Walker, Kentucky 

Building the trenches again with this selection. The 6-foot-6, 345 pound defensive tackle is a monster in the middle of a defense. He’s an absolute run-plugger that could command multiple bodies on the offensive line, creating one-on-ones for guys like Pearce and Carl Granderson on the edge. This is exactly the type of player the Saints need, reminiscent of former defensive tackle Malcom Brown, who was of great value against the run.

Round 3, Pick 93 – S Andrew Mukuba, Texas 

McCarthy may be an offensive guy, but he knows the value of good defensive back play. Mukuba is a 6-foot, 190 pound safety with the ability to play deep, underneath in coverage as a robber and in the slot. His versatility, playmaking ability—five interceptions in 2024—and hitter mentality are all welcome additions to the aggressiveness needed in today’s pro defenses.

Round 4, Pick 110 – WR Nick Nash, San Jose State

Small school receivers have been a staple of McCarthy draft classes. Sure, picks out of Oklahoma and South Carolina are on the Dallas docket during his time, but so are selections from Southeast Missouri State, Boise State, and South Alabama. Nash—6-foot-3, 196 pounds—reeled in 104 catches for 1,382 receiving yards along with 16 touchdowns catches in 2024. He had six drops last year, but that was on a whopping total of 171 targets. His 19 contested catches in 2024 are tied for No. 4 among wideouts across the country, per Pro Football Focus. 

He did all of this despite only switching from quarterback to wide receiver in 2022. Nash won’t be a hot name on many analysts’ big boards, but his development and mismatch potential will place him firmly in the early Day Three area for NFL teams.

Round 4, Pick 129 – TE Oronde Gadsden Jr., Syracuse 

Tight ends have always been a big part of McCarthy’s offense. With starter Foster Moreau still under contract in 2025 and a developmental player like Dallin Holker likely to hang on, adding the 6-foot-5, 236 pound Gadsden would be a solid selection to wrap up the fourth round. Gadsden is a solid blocker, something Syracuse teaches well and also had 17 contested catches in 2024, which Pro Football Focus ranks No. 2 among the nation’s tight ends. Gadsden can do a little bit of everything for today’s typical tight end game.