The New Orleans Saints have done a great job of addressing their needs in free agency, adding a badly-need accomplished wide receiver (in Emmanuel Sanders) and reinforcing the defensive secondary (with Malcolm Jenkins). They’ve also worked hard to retain their own free agents in the trenches (by re-signing defensive tackle David Onyemata and left guard Andrus Peat) while locking in their top two cornerbacks (Marshon Lattimore’s fifth-year option was picked up as soon as possible, while Janoris Jenkins inked a two-year extension).

So where does that leave the Saints ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft? What are their chief roster needs? They could use reinforcements at linebacker (where two of three projected starters are returning from season-ending injuries) as well as developmental prospects at tight end and cornerback. Alvin Kamara’s looming contract situation is also worth watching. But on the whole the Saints are set to attack this year’s draft by targeting the best available players.

That makes things interesting. The Saints won’t have to reach on a receiver, for example, while they can also comfortably add a luxury pick like an heir-apparent running back or even a quarterback to coach up behind Drew Brees and Taysom Hill. That led to fascinating decisions like what we faced in the third round, with the top two available prospects being Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts and small-school offensive lineman Ben Bartch (a rapid-riser out of St. John’s). While Bartch could grow into a high-level starter much like Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s own Terron Armstead, the possibility of adding a quarterback with Hurts’ resume in that spot was too good to pass up.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here’s how our mid-free agency mock draft shook out:

Round 1: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma Both Murray and LSU's Patrick Queen were on the board, but we like Murray's higher-level athleticism… Both Murray and LSU's Patrick Queen were on the board, but we like Murray's higher-level athleticism (for his size) and larger body of work. more © Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2: C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M This pick was traded to help acquire McCoy, who rarely missed a snap as a rookie… This pick was traded to help acquire McCoy, who rarely missed a snap as a rookie and projects to improve in 2020. more © Credit: Chuck Cook -USA TODAY Sports

Round 2: DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson One of the picks acquired in this trade became Gardner-Johnson, who figures to excel as an… One of the picks acquired in this trade became Gardner-Johnson, who figures to excel as an underneath defender next to Malcom Jenkins (with Marcus Williams watching over both of them). more © Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3: QB Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma Hurts was by far the best prospect available late in the third round. He could be… Hurts was by far the best prospect available late in the third round. He could be the next Dak Prescott if the Saints surround him with enough talent. more © Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4: RB Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State Evans might be a steal here. He's an elusive big-play threat who has shouldered the load… Evans might be a steal here. He's an elusive big-play threat who has shouldered the load in the Sun Belt, but has the pass-catching abilities to be even better in the NFL. more © Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6: TE Jacob Breeland, Oregon Breeland is a good blocker who emerged as a serious deep threat before a leg injury… Breeland is a good blocker who emerged as a serious deep threat before a leg injury ended his senior season. He has time to pick up the playbook in New Orleans behind Jared Cook and Josh Hill. more © Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6: WR Lynn Bowden, Kentucky Bowden is more of a gadget player right now, but he could develop into a nice… Bowden is more of a gadget player right now, but he could develop into a nice slot receiver while Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders dominate targets. more © Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports