Draft Dom Lewis Off Season

Draft sleeper picks: NFL defensive prospects

Draft sleeper picks are the ones that makes you question why teams pass on a certain player.  Finding a late round pick or un-drafted free agent who turns into a star is a luxury.  The Saints have build their team by doing just that for the last several years.  We talked about what prospects could be sleeper picks on offense.  Now we take a look at the defense where the team has steadily improved the last few years under Dennis Allen.

Although the New Orleans Saints let Vonn Bell sign to the Cincinnati Bengals the Saints have kept a lot of their free agents on the defensive side of the ball.  The Saints recently re-signed Malcolm Jenkins.  For the first time in a while, the team is stacked at almost every position.  But good teams are always looking to add on to an a deep roster.

Here are some NFL draft sleeper prospects on defense that could add solid depth for the Saints defense:

Draft Sleeper Picks: Defensive Line

Nick Coe NFL Draft profile, draft sleeper

Nick Coe

COLLEGE

Auburn

CLASS

r-Junior

HEIGHT

6’5″

WEIGHT

280 lbs

40 YARD DASH

4.89

BENCH PRESS

21

VERTICAL JUMP

29.0

BROAD JUMP

116.0

Davon Hamilton NFL Draft profile, draft sleeper

Davon Hamilton

COLLEGE

Ohio State

CLASS

r-Senior

HEIGHT

6’4″

WEIGHT

320 lbs

40 YARD DASH

5.14

BENCH PRESS

33

VERTICAL JUMP

29.5

BROAD JUMP

102.0

Larrell Murchison NFL Draft profile, draft sleeper

Larrell Murchison

COLLEGE

North Carolina State

CLASS

r-Senior

HEIGHT

6’2″

WEIGHT

297 lbs

40 YARD DASH

5.05

BENCH PRESS

29

VERTICAL JUMP

29.0

BROAD JUMP

118.0

Rashard Lawrence

COLLEGE

LSU

CLASS

Senior

HEIGHT

6’2″

WEIGHT

308 lbs

40 YARD DASH

5.07

BENCH PRESS

22

VERTICAL JUMP

BROAD JUMP

Casey Toohill

COLLEGE

Stanford

CLASS

r-Senior

HEIGHT

6’4″

WEIGHT

250 lbs

40 YARD DASH

4.62

BENCH PRESS

17

VERTICAL JUMP

39.0

BROAD JUMP

126.0

You can never have too many lineman.  The depth on the roster is pretty solid.  However, Sheldon Rankins and Marcus Davenport both finished the season on injured reserve.  Taking one of these prospects in the middle of the draft would be a great addition.  A key factor to think about is versatility.

Advertisement

Draft Sleeper Picks: Linebackers

Akeem Davis-Gaither

COLLEGE

Appalachian State

CLASS

Senior

HEIGHT

6’1″

WEIGHT

224 lbs

40 YARD DASH

BENCH PRESS

21

VERTICAL JUMP

BROAD JUMP

William Gay Jr.

COLLEGE

Mississippi State

CLASS

Junior

HEIGHT

6’1″

WEIGHT

243 lbs

40 YARD DASH

4.46

BENCH PRESS

21

VERTICAL JUMP

39.5

BROAD JUMP

136.0

Shaquille Quarterman

COLLEGE

Miami (Fla.)

CLASS

Senior

HEIGHT

6’0″

WEIGHT

234 lbs

40 YARD DASH

4.74

BENCH PRESS

23

VERTICAL JUMP

31.0

BROAD JUMP

129.0

Joe Bachie

COLLEGE

Michigan State

CLASS

Senior

HEIGHT

6’1″

WEIGHT

230 lbs

40 YARD DASH

4.67

BENCH PRESS

26

VERTICAL JUMP

33.5

BROAD JUMP

119.0

The depth at this position is a “weak point”.  A.J. Klein signed with the Bills and we wish him all the best.  The main issue has been injuries for this position group.  Alex Anzalone is fully healthy but has only had one full season.  Kiko Alonso and Kaden Elliss will be coming back from ACL injuries.  The fans hope the Saints will add a linebacker in the first round if one becomes available.  But adding multiple players will be key especially with coach Michael Hodges taking over for Mike Nolan, who is now the defensive coordinator for the Cowgirls, I mean Cowboys.

Draft Sleeper Picks: Secondary

Amik Robertson

COLLEGE

LA Tech

CLASS

Senior

HEIGHT

5’8″”

WEIGHT

187 lbs

40 YARD DASH

BENCH PRESS

VERTICAL JUMP

BROAD JUMP

Bryce Hall NFL Draft profile, draft sleeper

Bryce Hall – Virginia

COLLEGE

Michigan State

CLASS

Senior

HEIGHT

6’1″

WEIGHT

230 lbs

40 YARD DASH

BENCH PRESS

11

VERTICAL JUMP

BROAD JUMP

Troy Pride NFL Draft profile, draft sleeper

Troy Pride

COLLEGE

Norte Dame

CLASS

Senior

HEIGHT

5’11”

WEIGHT

193 lbs

40 YARD DASH

4.4

BENCH PRESS

13

VERTICAL JUMP

33.5

BROAD JUMP

119.0

Alohi  Gilman NFL Draft profile, draft sleeper

Alohi Gilman – Notre Dame

COLLEGE

Norte Dame

CLASS

Junior

HEIGHT

5’10”

WEIGHT

201 lbs

40 YARD DASH

4.6

BENCH PRESS

17

VERTICAL JUMP

32.0

BROAD JUMP

119.0


As it stands right now, the secondary is pretty stacked.  However, the main concern is depth at outside corner behind Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins.  The Saints have a tendency to take a cornerback every year and this year will be no different.  Adding another piece will give the team the most depth they have ever seen for quite some time.  Who Dat Nation would love to see that happen.