May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Brandin Cooks (Oregon State) poses for photos after being selected as the number twenty overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the New Orleans Saints at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

With the NFL closing its doors on the scouting combine earlier this week, the pieces are beginning to fall in place. For the New Orleans Saints, there are several areas in need of improvement on both sides of the football.

Protection for quarterback Drew Brees, a cornerback to complement Keenan Lewis and an edge pass rusher are all critical enhancements that need to take place this offseason.

Without further ado, I present to you, my first Saints seven-round NFL mock draft…

13 Alvin Dupree DE/OLB, Kentucky Round 1, Pick 13 Nicknamed ‘Bud’, Dupree is a big-bodied freakish athlete, finding success as a pass rusher due to his physical attributes and technique. He offers long arms, flexibility and a speedy, explosive burst to teams in the market for both a pass rusher and run stopper. Combine measurements: Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 269 LBS Arm Length: 32 5/8 inches Hands: 9 3/4 inches 40-yard dash: 4.56 secs (3rd among LBs) Vertical jump: 42.0 inches (2nd) Broad jump: 138.0 inches (1st) The Saints are expected by many to go the pass-rushing route in the first round. I don’t see guys like Dante Fowler, Randy Gregory or Vic Beasley making it to Sean Payton and company at 13. Dupree offers intriguing upside as a possible day-one starter, especially if the team were to part ways with the troubled Junior Galette.

44 Eric Kendricks ILB, UCLA Round 2, Pick 12 Brother of Philadelphia Eagles LB Mychal Kendricks, Eric was named the Butkus Award (nation’s top LB) winner to cap off his career with the Bruins. He offers great football instincts, explosiveness and an aggressive motor. Combine measurements: Height: 6-foot-0 Weight: 232 LBS Arm length: 31 inches Hands: 9 5/8 inches 40-yard dash: 4.61 secs (6th among LBs) Bench press (225 LBS): 19 reps Vertical jump: 38.0 inches (5th) Broad jump: 124 inches (5th) David Hawthorne has regressed noticeably and may be on his way out. The Saints will need to find a replacement opposite Curtis Lofton in the middle. Kendricks has been one of the most proficient tacklers in the NCAA for the last three years while also displaying excellent man-to-man coverage skills and good zone awareness — all are elements New Orleans has been lacking.

75 Ali Marpet OL, Hobart Round 3, Pick 11 After finishing at the top of almost every workout at the NFL Combine, Ali Marpet of Hobart College in Geneva, NY has shot up the draft boards. He offers great footwork, quickness and strength, which were all displayed in an impressive manner at the combine. On top of that, he offers position flexibility at tackle, guard and center. Combine measurements: Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 307 LBS Arm length: 33 3/8 inches Hands: 10 inches 40-yard dash: 4.98 secs (1st among OL) Bench press (225 LBS): 30 reps (5th) Vertical jump: 30.5 inches (6th) Broad jump: 108.0 inches (5th) 3-cone drill: 7.33 secs (2nd) 20-yard shuffle: 4.secs (2nd) The big winner at the combine would be a perfect fit for the Saints. With Ben Grubbs and possibly Jahri Evans on their way out, as well as the question mark at center, Marpet’s position flexibility is ideal. Regardless, there is going to be some heated competition all along the offensive line at training camp.

109 Lorenzo Doss CB, Tulane Round 4, Pick 13 While cornerback is a desperate need in the Big Easy, this is likely a position that will be addressed in free agency, which is why I waited till the fourth round. Don’t forget about Stanley Jean-Baptiste (2014 2nd-round pick) and the signing of CFL star and New Orleans native Delvin Breaux. Doss, also a native of the Crescent City, shined during on-field drills at the scouting combine, leading to his dart up the big board. If he does happen to fall into the hands of Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis, why not bring in the Tulane standout? He has great instincts, hands (former WR), ball skills and displays excellent change of direction. Combine measurements: Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 182 LBS Arm length: 29 3/4 inches Hands: 9 inches 40-yard dash: 4.50 secs (8th among CBs) Bench press (225 LBS): 9 reps Vertical jump: 33.5 inches Broad jump: 115 inches 3-cone drill: 7.20 secs (2nd) 20-yard shuffle: 4.26 secs 60-yard shuffle: 11.90 secs Again, I expect the Saints to hold off on drafting a CB in the earlier rounds after addressing the gaping hole via the free agent market. Doss is quite possibly one of the hardest working, most passionate players in this rookie class.

140 Marcus Hardison DT/DE, Arizona State Round 5, Pick 12 Hardison is one of my underdogs in this year’s rookie class, but I look at him as a bit of a gamble in the earlier rounds due to his lack of strength, physicality and balance. However, he offers flexibility at both defensive end and defensive tackle. He started off slow at ASU, but finished his final year in the interior of the D-line with impressive numbers. Providing excellent burst off the line, Hardison is a natural defensive end who still kept his pass-rushing instincts intact after moving inside. Combine measurements: Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 307 LBS Arm length: 33 1/2 inches Hands: 10 3/8 inches Bench press (225 LBS): 27 reps Other than the bench press, he had to skip out on the combine drills due to a minor knee injury he suffered during the Senior Bowl. The Saints could use some added depth along the defensive line. Hardison’s position flexibility provides that depth as a situational pass rusher with starter potential at both defensive end and tackle.

171 Cameron Artis-Payne RB, Auburn Round 6, Pick 11 Is Mark Ingram on his way out? With the unrestricted free agent running back set to hit the market, the Saints may look to the draft to find an alternative if the club can’t resign him — I don’t see Sean Payton and company addressing that in the early rounds with Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson still in the mix. Artis-Payne offers physicality, top-end speed, burst and a knack to keep ball movement north and south. There’s a chance the Auburn standout slips into the fifth or possibly sixth round due to his one-speed type, maxed-out growth, small hands and age (already 25-years-old). Combine measurements: Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 212 LBS Arm length: 29 5/8 inches Hands: 8 7/8 inches 40-yard-dash: 4.53 secs (6th among RBs) Vertical jump: 36.5 inches (8th) Broad jump: 118 inches (8th) 3-cone drill: 7.13 secs Like Ingram, Artis-Payne is a tough, north and south runner. He offers good speed and the potential to be an effective receiver out of the backfield under the proper care of a solid coaching staff. The SEC-leading rusher in 2014 could be a nice little option in the Big Easy.

205 Devante Davis WR, UNLV Round 7, Pick 13 It’s time for the Saints to think about finding a replacement for Marques Colston. While there is no urgency at the moment with Brandin Cooks, Kenny Stills and Jimmy Graham in the mix, Colston’s career has certainly taken a decline (both health and performance). He may have another year or two, but searching for his successor would do no harm. It’s even rumored that New Orleans could be parting ways with the club’s all-time leading receiver. Like Colston, Devante Davis is no freak athlete, but he offers great size and hands as a wideout with room to grow bigger and stronger. He also has the uncanny ability to track down the deep ball and make plays on inaccurate throws. In addition, he is an aggressive ball carrier with a mean stiff arm — his highlight tapes are pretty impressive. Combine measurements: Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 220 LBS Arm length: 32 3/8 inches Hands: 9 1/2 inches 40-yard dash: 4.57 secs Bench press (225 LBS): 16 reps (4th among WRs) Vertical jump: 35.5 inches Broad jump: 115.0 inches 3-cone drill: 7.25 secs 20-yard shuffle: 4.12 secs (6th) 60-yard shuffle: 11.60 secs (8th) Davis’s lack of burst, athleticism and ability to separate from defenders has him projected as a seventh round prospect with the possibility of going undrafted. He leaves UNLV second in school history in receiving yards, third in touchdowns and fourth in receptions, as well as second in 100-yard receiving games. He could provide consistency and length on the outside as a solid pass catcher for the Saints. Remember, Colston was drafted in the seventh round out of Hofstra and look what he’s become.

Surprised to not see a quarterback? Drew Brees’ replacement is out there, but I just don’t believe it’s in this draft. There’s also a reason why the Saints are keeping Ryan Griffin around and paying him — they like what they see.

Again, I’m not counting out the idea. I may even have a quarterback in my next Saints NFL mock draft, but I’ll wait until after the pro days take place.

I believe every pick are viable options for the New Orleans Saints in this year’s selection process. There are some gaping holes on both sides of the football — Dupree, Kendricks, Marpet, Doss, Hardison, Artis-Payne and Davis are quite intriguing at the moment.